L'amour Toujour
C12: Breakout and Homecoming
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters
Outside it was warm for April, not that she noticed in her cell because it was as cold as it always was, but if her instincts were right, and they usually were, it wouldn't be long before she was free once again. Her mark had been pulsing steadily for months, and it was a clear sign that her Lord was back and regaining his strength.
The walls of Azkaban shook with the impact of each spell, and Bellatrix knew that this was her time to escape. Weak as she was managed to force herself to stand and reach out to whoever it was on the other side.
With a sickening last blast the wall tore away exposing her for the first time in fifteen years to direct sunlight as she stared at the face of her best friend, Alecto Carrow. "Come Bella, it is high time that we bring you home. A lot has happened that you need to know. Your sisters will be happy to inform you of this. Our Lord has decreed that you are to heal and rest before anything else." The blonde said as she floated into the cell and extended her hand.
Bellatrix took her hand without hesitation before they apparated away, leaving the cell silent aside from the howling winds.
They appeared in the den of Black Manor where Narcissa, Andromeda and Nymphadora were waiting for them, having gotten the news that the breakout was going to happen today.
Weak from years of malnutrition and lack of sleep caught up to her all at once and she fainted the moment her feet touched familiar carpet, quickly caught by Narcissa who cradled her sister close. "Thank you Alecto. You don't know what this means to us to have her home at long last."
Alecto smiled kindly at them. "I can imagine Narcissa. As I told her, the Dark Lord has decreed that nothing else will be undertaken until she's fully healed and had time to spend with her family. I know she will be safe here with you and Andromeda and you don't have to worry about the Ministry. We've ensured that they won't search for her here."
Narcissa and Andromeda smiled at her. "Thank you Alecto. We'll send word when she is on the mend, although I fear that it might be a while."
"He understands and wants to give her all the time she needs. He's more than willing to play the long game this time around since we know the Order refuses to believe that he has returned." Alecto said kindly.
The two sisters nodded. "That's good news. It'll be better for everyone in the end. From what we've heard coming out of Hogwarts, Dumbledore is becoming increasingly more paranoid, having given almost all power over to Umbridge."
Alecto merely smiled at that. "We know. Umbridge is one of us. She told me of what happened with the Heritage Tests, something he asks you to share with Bella as soon as possible."
"We were planning to, because we too have some other news that we need to share with Bella first before we can share it with others, but I think it is best if we get her into bed and then some food." Narcissa said softly.
Alecto nodded at her. "I understand. I need to get back anyway because I'm sure there is a more then just a few of the inner circle that will need just as much help in getting better, plus the Dark Lord is still gathering back his strength."
"We'll Floo when there is news Alecto. Please take care." Andromeda said kindly.
Alecto nodded before apparating away. "Why don't you two get her in bed. I'll go and collect a couple of potions. I think Fleur's Cure-All potion might get its first proper test case." Narcissa said softly as she ran her fingers through Bellatrix's hair.
Andromeda and Nymphadora nodded at that. "Should we inform Hermione and Luna too?" Nymphadora asked softly.
Narcissa shook her head. "No, it's only a couple of months until summer. We need to focus on getting Bella healthy and bringing Pandora home. In that order. With a bit of luck Pandora will feel the change in Bella's bond and come home on her own accord, but we can't bet on that. I think she'll stay in hiding until Bella comes for her. After that they'll have all the time in the world to spend with their daughters. They need to focus on their exams anyway."
Dora nodded at that as she followed her mother upstairs who was floating the still unconscious Bellatrix in front of her. "Will aunt Bella be okay Mom?"
Andromeda nodded at her. "I know she will Dora. She is stronger than most witches I know, and once Pandora comes home, she'll heal without a doubt."
Dora sighed in relief as they gently put Bellatrix in bed, the two of them ensuring that she wouldn't hurt herself when she woke up by casting some restraining charms.
Narcissa meanwhile made her way down to her potions lab, having prepared every possible potion in advance for her sister's homecoming, which hopefully would help a great deal in bringing back her Bella because as much as Bellatrix was Pandora's mate, she also had a very close bond with her eldest sister, much like Hermione and Luna had.
She did send a quick message to Fleur to let her know that Bellatrix was home, and that she would keep the blonde Veela posted on her progress as well as the effects of the Cure-All potion.
Fleur of course wished her luck and to Floo if there was anything that she could do to help, which Narcissa promised she would.
Making her way upstairs with her supply of potions she couldn't help but think if this situation was going to be repeated once Pandora came home since she doubted those years on the run would have done the blonde good in terms of her health.
It was a problem for later though, because she knew very well that for the foreseeable future their time would be filled with caring for Bellatrix, or at least as much as her sister would allow them to help. Bellatrix, like her daughter was very stubborn after all.
Walking into the room a few minutes later, she was surprised to see that Andromeda had magically bound their sister to the bed. "What's this Andi?"
"It's for her safety Cissa. Her magical core is dangerously weak and she is more than a little malnourished. If she wakes up tonight we don't want her to hurt herself even more. Perhaps it would be best if you and I took shifts in watching over her for the time being." Andromeda said softly.
Narcissa nodded in agreeance. "I'll take the first watch then and make sure that she takes some potions. We'll start explaining when she is somewhat coherent."
Andromeda nodded and pressed a kiss to the top of her sister's head before taking her leave, while Narcissa pulled up a chair next to their sister's bed, taking one of the raven haired witch's hands as she began her silent vigil.
…
A few hours into the night Bellatrix woke up with a start, feeling that she was restrained and as much as she tried to fight them, she couldn't break free. "Calm down Bella, you're safe and sound in your own bed in Black Manor. Your magical core is very weak from your time in Azkaban and you need to heal before we can let the restraints go." Narcissa said softly as she ran her fingers over her sister's hand.
"Cissa. Is that you? What happened? I can't remember anything after Alecto broke me out." Bellatrix asked in quick succession.
It broke the blonde's heart to hear her sister's voice so weak. "You fainted when Alecto brought you home Bella. We got you into bed and made sure you were safe. We can't even get potions in you before you regain some strength."
That made Bellatrix relax some as she realized that she was safe. "Where's Panny, Cissa, and where is my daughter?"
"There is a lot we need to talk about Bella, and we will as soon as you as you feel a bit better. So much has happened in the last fifteen years that I barely know where to start. What I can tell you is that both Pandora and Luna are safe and that you will see them soon. I promise that you will know everything before summer comes." Narcissa said softly.
Bellatrix nodded as good as she could. "You know I trust you Cissa, I just can't help but worry. I couldn't handle more loss after losing Hermione."
Narcissa contemplated of telling her sister the truth, and figured that now would be as good a time as any to test the Cure-All potion. "Bella, I need you to trust me now more than ever. Over the last months I've been in contact with a very talented potion maker that has supplied me with a new potion that potentially heals all ailments. I want to give it to you to see if it at least enables you to move under your own volition."
Bellatrix only nodded as Narcissa poured a bit of the Cure-All potion into her sister's mouth, the raven haired witch swallowing it with some problems.
It felt as if all of the things that the last fifteen years locked away in Azkaban immediately fixed themselves, and she couldn't help but gasp as she felt her strength return.
Narcissa's eyes widened as she saw her sister's complexion improve drastically. "Bella are you okay?" She asked softly.
"I feel amazing Cissa, better than I have in fifteen years. I feel strong again, albeit a bit peckish." Bellatrix said honestly.
Narcissa laughed lightly at that as she removed the bindings that kept her sister bound to the bed. "I suppose we should thank my dear friend. That potion is a true wonder."
Gingerly Bellatrix sat up to finally properly address her sister. "Now that I'm feeling better, I want to know everything that happened."
Narcissa smiled and took her sister's hand. "Before I start, I promise that everything I tell you is the truth. Pandora came to us fifteen years ago and left Luna on our doorstep, having survived the assassination attempt that landed you in Azkaban. We raised her as our own daughter and told her everything as soon as she was old enough to understand. I'll let you read the letter Pandora left with her in the morning. I know you want nothing more than to find her and bring her home, but even with this potion I must ask you to wait until you've properly regained your strength.
I do however have more good news and there is no easy way of saying this so I will just go ahead and say it. Hermione is alive and is thriving at Hogwarts. She is actually Luna's roommate in Ravenclaw and is dying to meet you and Pandora come the summer. We've been granted guardianship a few months ago since learning that the old man had placed her among Muggles. We had the pleasure of having her here over Christmas after she and Luna discovered the truth over the past year. There is more but that is something she should tell you, but I promise that it is nothing bad. You might even find it amusing."
"My baby girl is alive? How can't I remember anything?" Bellatrix said softly, clearly on the verge of tears.
Narcissa smiled and slid onto the bed as she pulled the raven haired witch into her side. "Yes love, she's alive and your daughter in every way, from the way she looks and acts to inheriting your title of brightest witch of her age. She and Luna are not only carbon copies of you and Pandora, they also act like you and I did when we were little girls. I however do not know why you can't remember, but I have a feeling that the old man has something to do with that and I promise that we will find out one way or another."
Bellatrix couldn't help but smile through her tears as she heard that not only her daughter was alive but was also thriving at school. "You haven't called me love in a very long time. I also can't believe that the old man stole so much from us. I want to make him pay Cissa."
"And you will Bella. I am sure the Dark Lord will let you take revenge for everything he did to you and our family. I have to say that Hermione has already said that she wants to do her part in the War. She's as headstrong as you are." Narcissa said with a soft smile.
Bellatrix smirked at that. "Of course she is. She's my daughter. I wouldn't have expected anything else. I am also sure you took the opportunity on Christmas to educate her on our family dynamics."
"Honestly? That was mostly her sister. I merely educated her on manners and traditions." Narcissa said with a soft smile.
Bellatrix smiled at that as she leaned into her sister. "I've really missed you all Cissa. Every day I spent in that hell hole was a reminder of what I had lost."
"Never again Bella, I promise that soon our family will be complete and will never be parted again. Andi and Dora are also overjoyed that you are home." Narcissa said softly.
"I'll talk to them tomorrow, because I'm exhausted. That potion worked a bit too well." Bellatrix said before yawning.
Narcissa smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Then sleep Bella. I'll be here tomorrow with a very hearty breakfast. After that Andi and Dora will undoubtedly come to see you."
The raven haired witch nodded and gave her sister's hand a squeeze before being tucked in under the covers again, falling to a dreamless sleep soon after.
…
Pandora woke with a start when she felt her bond with Bellatrix flare in the middle of the night. This was normal at times, but it hadn't been this strong in almost fifteen years and it told her that something was either tremendously wrong, or that Bellatrix was home again.
Knowing sleep was impossible for tonight, she got up from her cot and made her way out of the cave she had spent the last ten years in.
The early April night was warm but thankfully not uncomfortably so and for the first time in a very long time, she allowed her magic to connect to that of her soulmate, immediately slipping into a vision of her love sleeping peacefully in a bed in what could only be Black Manor.
She saw how haggard her love looked and it broke her heart all over again, and as she returned to the present she knew what had to be done. It was time for her to go home and be there for her lover and mate so they could together welcome their daughter home and plot revenge for the loss of their eldest.
Decision made, she sprung into action to gather the things she needed to bring with her, since everything else in what she had called her home would be destroyed when she left. She didn't want to give any notion that she had been here after all should a Ministry official or Order member stumble upon it by chance.
She knew she had quite the battle to fight upon her return, not only with Bellatrix, but also with the rest of her family. She now knew that leaving might have been the stupidest thing she could've done, but in the wake of what happened she could now admit to herself that she wasn't thinking clearly at the time.
Before she could pack her belongings however, she decided to have her first proper bath in a very long time, since it wouldn't do for her to show up at Narcissa's home unbathed and unprepared.
Stripping out of her dress, she made her back into her home and towards the hot spring she thankfully had access to. Over the years it had served as a balm to her mind and body and while she would miss it, she knew very well that nothing could ever beat having Bellatrix once again by her side and being able to spend her life with her family.
She took her time luxuriating in the spring, not wanting to show up at Black Manor too early and potentially catch everyone when they were waking up, which in turn might be dangerous if they were on guard.
Pandora knew all too well that they would be surprised and that she would have to do a lot of apologizing once she got to the Manor, not in the first place to Narcissa and Andromeda for leaving them with Luna without any form of warning.
Bellatrix however would be the hardest apology of them all because not only had she broken her promise, but she had done so knowingly and without properly thinking the consequences through, which she couldn't help but fully agree with now that she had time to think back on everything she had done over the years.
As she got out and dried herself for the first time in fifteen years with magic, she thought about what she was going to say to them, but nothing really came to mind because nothing she could think of would be a suitable apology for fifteen years of absence, and as she got dressed she decided to just speak from the heart and hope that her soulmate and daughter would some day forgive her.
She then gathered the few things that she wanted to bring with her and made sure to double check if she didn't forget anything, because she would never return here again, not even if Bellatrix asked to show her where she had spent all these years.
Once she was sure she had it all, she made her way out, setting the pouch next to her as she watched the sunrise, wanting to wait with apparating until she was sure everyone in the Manor was awake.
She of course didn't know in what physical and more importantly what mental state her soulmate would be, but the steady and strong thrum of their connection assured her that her witch was doing far better than she had been, which was something she would have to ask Narcissa about once she arrived.
The sunrise was as beautiful as it always was, but for the first time it also brought her a strange sense of calm, now knowing that within a few hours she would be reunited with her love once again, and this time nothing would ever chase her away from her witch again.
She traced the mark Bellatrix had given her with her fingers, their promise to each other to always return to each other no matter what would happen. At the time everyone had seen it as barbaric, but to them it symbolized something greater, something as primal as their bond was, and in the end it didn't matter what other people thought about them, only the opinion of their family mattered to them.
Once the sun was completely up she took out her wand, and pointed it towards the entrance of the cave, setting the limits of her spell to everything inside and nothing out of it. "Pestis Incendium"
The flames sprung from her wand and roared to the entrance, setting everything inside ablaze in seconds, and she just couldn't help but wipe away a few tears as her home of the last fifteen years burned away, almost cleansing the past away so that the future could take hold as she apparated away, letting the fire roar and destroy everything within its boundaries.
…
Narcissa had only just brought Bellatrix her breakfast when she felt the wards of their home ripple with magic she hadn't felt in over a decade. "What's wrong Cissa, having second thoughts about the breakfast you brought me?" Bellatrix asked with her usual grin.
"I see that you've retained that legendary wit of yours, sister. But no, I felt something in the wards that I haven't felt in over a decade." Narcissa said kindly.
"Could it be trouble? Do they know I am here?" Bellatrix asked with a bit of worry in her voice.
Narcissa shook her head at that. "No, the wards would've alerted me if it was malicious. The magic feels far more familiar. I just can't place it."
Bellatrix nodded and against all hope reached out to Pandora through their bond, and felt to her great joy the blonde was close by. "I think it might be Panny. I can feel she is close."
Narcissa looked surprised at that. "Are you absolutely sure Bella?"
The raven-haired witch nodded at her sister. "I know the feeling of her magic almost better then I know my own. It's her."
"What do you want to do Bella? I understand if you're not strong enough to see her yet." Narcissa asked softly.
"Bring her to me Cissa. We have a lot to talk about and having her close will help me heal, I promise that nothing untoward will happen." Bellatrix said honestly.
Narcissa nodded and pressed a quick kiss to her sister's head. "Then I'll go and see if it is her, you try to eat something in the meantime. I'll explain to her what happened yesterday."
Bellatrix nodded and demonstratively bit off a piece of toast, making the blonde smile as she left the room and made her way downstairs, not even noticing the fact that she was still in her morning robes.
"What's wrong Cissa? Is Bella okay?" Andromeda asked as she saw the determined look on her sister's face.
Narcissa smiled at her. "Bella is fine and will probably be even better in a few minutes. I just need to greet our guest." The blonde said with a smile.
Andromeda quirked an eyebrow at that but didn't get the chance to ask as Narcissa walked into the entrance hall.
As she opened the door, she couldn't contain her surprise when she saw the blonde on her doorstep. "Pandora. I honestly don't know what to say at this moment."
"I understand that Narcissa, and I know that there is a lot we need to talk about, and I deserve every bit of your anger." Pandora said softly.
Narcissa smiled and pulled the blonde into her arms. "I am a lot of things with you, but angry is not one of them. We're just happy that you're finally home. There are a lot of questions I want to ask you, mind you, but those can wait. There is someone waiting upstairs that needs you and those answers more than we do."
Pandora smiled at her. "Thank you Narcissa, but before I go to Bella I need to say something to you and Andromeda. I'm sorry for leaving like I did, but I want to thank you for taking Luna in and raising her as your own."
"That speaks for itself Pandora. Luna, like you have always been, is family and you know that we would do anything for family, and the fact that she was by far the easiest of our three children to raise helped a lot too. She does know about you and Bella and is very excited to see you two come the summer." Andromeda said with a kind smile.
Pandora smiled at the two sisters as she wrapped her arms around them both. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I promise to explain everything once I've talked to Bella."
"Take your time Pandora. You two have fifteen years to talk through, and I must say that I have told her one thing that I am sure she will mention to you. I won't say it, but I promise that it will be the truth." Narcissa said softly
Pandora nodded and gave the two sisters a last squeeze as she made her way upstairs, letting her heart guide her to the one she loved, but with every step she took her nerves did too. Bella's temper was legendary, and while she knew she was safe from it, the heartache would be just as bad.
…
As she stepped into the room, she couldn't help but smile as she saw her witch sitting in bed enjoying her breakfast, although she abruptly dropped her piece of bacon when they locked eyes. "Panny! I've missed you so much, my love."
Pandora couldn't help herself and immediately made her way over to the bed and sat down next to her raven-haired lover. "I've missed you too Bella. I'm so sorry for everything. I should've kept a better eye out for threats." She said as she sobbed into her lover's shoulder.
"Shh, it's okay now my love. We're both alive and here now. There is no need to apologize for the past. I'm sure you saw no other option then to bring our baby girl here where she would be safe. The only thing I don't get is why you didn't stay here too. You know my sisters would've gladly taken you in." Bellatrix said softly as she tried to soothe the blonde.
"I know that now, but at the time my mind was so clouded with worry that I saw no other option then to run and hide. After what happened to Hermione I couldn't bear losing Luna too. At the time I thought it was best to let everyone think that the Order had succeeded and vanish until such time it would be safe to come back again. I knew your sisters would take her in and raise her well so that made me feel a little bit better, but it still hurt knowing that I had to break our promise." Pandora said softly.
Bellatrix smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her lover's head, taking a moment to inhale the scent of her soulmate deeply. "Before yesterday I would've been livid with you for doing that, but what Cissa told me yesterday has made my mind up. I can't be angry with you for trying to save yourself and give the old man some sick sense of satisfaction in thinking that he had taken out two of our Lord's biggest supporters so easily. We'll have the last laugh Panny, that I promise you."
Pandora smiled and carefully cuddled into her lover's side. "It sounds like you know more. Care to share, my Star?"
"Of course love. I don't know what Cissa and Andi have told you, but I will try my best to tell you everything Cissa told me yesterday, but first I need you to do one thing for me. Lose the dress and get in bed with me. I've been craving your body next to mine again for the last fifteen years." Bellatrix said softly.
The blonde nodded and ripped off the dress she had so carefully crafted fifteen years ago, sliding in next to her lover afterwards, smiling as she felt her lover's equally naked body against her own. "It's almost as if you haven't spent fifteen years in Azkaban. I had expected to find you a lot more malnourished."
"And I was, but apparently Cissa has a friend that created a Cure-All potion, and apparently that includes malnutrition, because besides the hunger I'm fine. Cissa was just as surprised as I was yesterday. The only thing that still needs to heal properly is my magical core, but with you next to me that is only a matter of time." Bellatrix said with a soft smile.
Pandora smiled and rested her head on Bellatrix's shoulder. "I'm honestly glad to hear that, and I'm sure you are already thinking of a way to properly thank that friend of your sister."
Bellatrix nodded at her. "And I will, when the time is right. I promised to tell you what Cissa told me however, and before Cissa comes with lunch I want to have told you. I'll start with the most important thing. Hermione is not dead, far from it in fact. She is thriving next to her sister in Ravenclaw and will come home for the summer. I don't know the full details, but the old man took her from us and placed her among Muggles, but her blood is strong and found her sister. From what Cissa told me both Hermione and Luna are our carbon copies and are very close too, much like Cissa and I were."
For a moment Pandora was stunned silent. "I can't believe it, our baby is alive? That old bastard has a lot to answer for."
"That he does, and I will personally make sure he will pay for what he did with his life, but we will talk about that particular event later, when plans will be made. Cissa also told me that they have gotten guardianship of Hermione, since a Heritage test revealed who she really is and that the Ministry believes that she deserves to be with her family. We'll have every opportunity to really get to know our daughters over the summer." Bellatrix said with a loving smile.
Pandora smiled and cuddled into her love. "I can't wait, even if it is only a few months. There are so many things I want to ask them, but I suppose this also means I won our bet since they both got sorted into Ravenclaw."
Bellatrix smiled fondly at her love. "And I promise to hold up my end once I am fully able to again, although it might have to wait until the War is over. A vacation sounds a lot better once we are sure we don't have to look over our shoulders at all times."
"I wonder if they know of their Prophecy already. It has been on my mind ever since I foretold it." Pandora said with a dreamy smile.
Bellatrix smiled at that, being a big fan of that particular smile of her lover. "I'm sure they do. Hermione spent Christmas here and according to Cissa she was very interested in everything concerning our family."
"I can imagine she would be after not being a part of it for so long. I can't imagine how her early years must've been. We've missed so much time with her." Pandora said softly.
"We can never make up for that lost time, but what we can do is make beautiful memories with them that we can all cherish forever and ensure that we will not miss a moment of their lives again. They both deserve the best mothers they can get and especially Hermione will need guidance in dealing with the Curse of Black in the coming years." Bellatrix said softly.
Pandora smiled at her. "I'm sure having Luna there will help for the time being love, and once she finds her mate it'll settle itself too."
Bellatrix sighed and nodded at that as the door opened to reveal Narcissa with two plates of food. "I see that you two wasted little time in getting comfortable again. Did you at least manage to talk?"
"We did Cissa. It is honestly all we did. I know very well that I am far from recovered, despite that wonder potion you gave me. It is just that having Panny next to me will help my core heal quicker, and you of all people know very well that works best through skin to skin contact." Bellatrix said with a grin.
Narcissa blushed at that. "I remember very well Bella, and it seems that your daughters have found that out as well. They spend every night in bed together because it seems that Potter's brat and the youngest Weasley boy are getting to them both."
"I'm not surprised to be honest. It is well known that the Weasley's are the old man's staunchest followers, so I'm not surprised that the less intelligent grate on our baby girl." Bellatrix said softly.
Narcissa smiled at that as she took a seat next to the bed after placing the two plates in front of the witches. "Funnily enough the youngest Weasley is a girl and apparently very good friends with both them and Draco. According to my son she's quite bright and has the ability to think for herself unlike most of them. There is also a set of Weasley twins that go against the norm for that family and are according to Hermione and Luna determined to set up some sort of shop similar to that dreadful joke-shop."
Both Bellatrix and Pandora smiled at that. "You're still smarting over that whoopee-cushion, aren't you Cissa?" Pandora asked teasingly.
The blonde huffed but smiled at them. "Not really, but I just couldn't resist. I'm just so glad that our family is finally complete again."
Bellatrix smiled and took her sister's hand, giving it a loving squeeze as the three witches fell in quiet conversation while both Pandora and Bellatrix ate their lunch.