Bellatrix No-name stood in front of Voldemort. She was increasingly nervous around Voldemort, after being loyal to him for all this time. Even to this day, she was still loyal, but each day that passed saw her increasingly questioning her loyalty.
"Bellatrix," Voldemort hissed darkly. "Have you been able to talk to our allies?"
"Yes, my Lord," Bellatrix replied. "Abraxas Malfoy has made the arrangements."
"Good," Voldemort said with a cold laugh. "We will be attacking Hogsmeade next weekend. Oh, yes, this will be great."
Bellatrix hesitated before saying, "My Lord, we have one problem."
Voldemort sneered. "Are you saying that my plan is not good enough?" he asked dangerously.
"That is not at all what I am saying, my Lord," Bellatrix said quickly. "I am just concerned that the headmaster of Hogwarts will somehow be ahead of us. He always seems to know everything."
"Are you scared of the headmaster?" Voldemort asked.
"Oh, no, of course not," Bellatrix said. "I just know him, I know him very well."
"This is why we've been very careful not to reveal our plans to those who are not our allies," Voldemort countered. "Now, any more complaints, or do I need to remind you of what happens to those who question me?"
"I have no more questions, my Lord," Bellatrix stated.
"Good," he said with a smirk. "Do NOT disappoint me, or else!"
Bellatrix left, shaking, not from the cold, but from fear. She knew that her cousin Sirius would be in Hogsmeade next weekend, seeing as he was a third year, and so would be Severus Snape, that half-blood. She didn't care about either of them, but she also knew that her sister would be there too.
Bellatrix was torn. On one hand, she was loyal to Voldemort, and she really detested most of her family, or, rather, her former family, but on the other hand, she remembered what her two sisters told her when she was disowned.
Should I tell someone what's going to happen? she wondered to herself. She was torn. Voldemort already knew that she had doubts about this attack, so if his plan was ruined, she would bear the consequences, and she was well aware of that. Instead of forgetting about her worries, she made a decision that may change everything.
She was going to defy the Dark Lord.
Narcissa Black raced through the corridors of Hogwarts, heading straight for the headmaster's office. She clutched a note in her hand, a note she had received just ten minutes ago from someone she didn't recognize the handwriting from. Whoever had sent it had charmed the parchment to not show the person's handwriting. Either way, the note had said something very alarming, and she needed to get this to Arcturus immediately.
Narcissa burst into Arcturus' office, nearly out of breath. "Narcissa, what is going on?" Arcturus asked.
"I-I just received this," she said, handing over the note. Arcturus read the note.
You-Know-Who is going to attack Hogsmeade next weekend. Give this note to the Hogwarts headmaster immediately. About twenty Death Eaters will be there.
Arcturus looked concerned after reading the note. "Whoever sent this is clearly trying to warn us without being identified," he said thoughtfully.
"Do you think it's someone from within his circle?" Narcissa asked curiously.
"I believe so," he confirmed. "I don't see who else would know other than someone within Voldemort's circle. This is something Voldemort would never want anyone to hear about."
"Who do you think sent this, then?" Narcissa asked.
"Someone who is defying Voldemort, and there aren't many people who would do that," Arcturus responded.
"Well, it's definitely not Aunt Walburga," Narcissa said.
"Oh, definitely not. I've known Walburga all her life, and I can promise you, she would never warn her family about anything," Arcturus said.
"Well, whoever sent it, did the right thing," Narcissa said, then widened her eyes. "Do you think it was… Bellatrix?"
Arcturus looked thoughtful. "It's a possibility," he said slowly. "It's hard to say. Though, that would make sense, since you were the one to get the note."
"If she did it, then she's risking her life by telling us," Narcissa stated. "And that would mean she might be starting to have a change of heart." She paused before continuing. "What now? Are you going to cancel the Hogsmeade weekend?"
"I would love to," Arcturus began. "In fact, I'm almost tempted to do just that. However, if we do that, Voldemort is going to know that someone told us. He would then have a lot of time to plan for a different attack somewhere else. No, we need to surprise the Death Eaters. Therefore, Hogsmeade weekend will still happen, but there will be extra security, I will make sure of that."
When Narcissa left the room a few minutes later, Arcturus started planning. He would have to inform the staff, so that every staff member could be in Hogsmeade. They would have Madam Pince, Madam Pomfrey, and the seventh year prefects stay at the school with the other students who didn't go. He would also have to contact Alastor Moody to quietly get Aurors stationed in Hogsmeade. If Voldemort wanted to plan this attack quietly, then Arcturus would plan the other side quietly. He wondered if Voldemort would be there as well. If so, they could finish Voldemort off for once and for all, but if not, then at least they could round up some of the Death Eaters.
Saturday morning arrived with all third years and above very excited for the Hogsmeade trip. The staff had decided not to tell the students that there would be an attack, because they wanted their students to have fun, but they did tell the students to always be prepared for an attack of any kind, because they were going through a war. Sirius, however, knew that something was wrong. Almost all of the staff were going, which was unusual. Usually, only a couple of staff members went to Hogsmeade.
"So, where should we go first when we get there?" James asked as they started walking over to the village.
Sirius forced a smile. "What about Honeydukes? Grandmother gave me some money, so I can get some candy and maybe a few other things throughout the day," Sirius replied.
"I have some money too," Severus said.
"Honeydukes it is, then!" James exclaimed excitedly. They arrived in the village, and headed toward Honeydukes.
As they entered the shop, Sirius noticed that there were about a dozen Aurors in just this part of Hogsmeade. This was unusual. The first time around, there were never so many Aurors in the village, not in the first or second war.
"Sirius! Earth to Sirius!" James basically yelled in his ear.
"Merlin's beard, James! Shut up!" Severus snapped.
Sirius shrugged. "It's fine. I still have one ear that works." James burst out laughing as Sirius grinned.
They got a few candies each, James getting more than Sirius and Severus. As they walked out of the shop, they met up with Lily, Remus, Alice, and Mary.
"Let's go to the bookstore," Remus suggested. The others agreed.
But as soon as they neared the bookstore, Sirius caught sight of what looked like a Death Eater. Sirius dodged just in time to miss a red light.
"Merlin's beard!" James exclaimed. "What the bloody hell is going on?!"
"Death Eaters!" Sirius answered, his wand already out and blocking spells. He had not had to duel in a long time, and the last time he had to duel someone, it had been with Lucius Malfoy in the Chamber of Secrets, and before that, it had been when he was fighting Bellatrix in the future. Sirius, James, Severus, Lily, Remus, Alice, and Mary started dueling with some Death Eaters Sirius didn't recognize.
As a Death Eater shot a dark curse at Sirius, Narcissa's voice cut through the uproar.
"NOT MY COUSIN!" Narcissa shouted, running toward them, sending a stunning spell at the Death Eater.
"Ah, another Black," another Death Eater drawled. "The family that has ruined itself by not following pure-blood traditions." It was Abraxas Malfoy.
"Shut up!" Narcissa snapped. This was all Abraxas needed to start sending spells at Narcissa. She put up a good fight. Since she was a seventh year, she fought Abraxas very well. At one point, however, Abraxas sent the Cruciatus Curse at her. Before it could hit her, however, a figure jumped in front of her, taking the curse instead.
Sirius' mouth dropped open. Even Narcissa looked shocked.
"BELLATRIX!" Narcissa shrieked.
"Go! Just go!" Bellatrix yelled.
"What are you doing, protecting your good-for-nothing sister?" Abraxas sneered. Bellatrix was released from the curse. She glared at Abraxas before running to Narcissa's side.
"Your arm is bleeding," Bellatrix commented.
"You-you just risked your life," Narcissa said, still shocked.
"Whatever. Just get out of here already," Bellatrix said coolly.
At that moment, Arcturus and Melania hurried over to them. Melania immediately over Narcissa's arm while Arcturus stunned Abraxas Malfoy.
"The Death Eaters have largely been rounded up," Arcturus explained. "It's time to go back to the castle. And you," he turned to Bellatrix. "I am interested to know what exactly happened." Bellatrix looked nervous.
"I don't need to talk to you," she snapped.
Arcturus disarmed Bellatrix, sending her wand flying into his hand. "You can either come answer my questions, or I can tell the Aurors to come arrest you for the people you tortured today. Your choice."
Sirius noticed that Arcturus used the tone of voice that he used when dealing with Black Family members that were like Cygnus and Druella. It was a tone that meant business, and a tone that meant he had not forgiven her for things she had done in the past.
"Fine," Bellatrix said with a sigh. "But you said to never set foot in Hogwarts again."
Arcturus glared at her. "Do not question me on this," he warned. Bellatrix nodded.
Everyone walked back to the castle, with McGonagall escorting Sirius, James, Severus, Remus, Lily, Alice, and Mary back to Gryffindor Tower, Melania escorting Narcissa to the Hospital Wing, and Arcturus escorting Bellatrix to his office.
Bellatrix was both angry and curious. Part of her was angry that she had to talk to Lord Black, but the other part of her was kind of glad she didn't have to go face Voldemort right now. She knew that he would be furious with her, and she would probably be tortured, or worse, killed. She doubted that Lord Black would help her, after everything she'd done, but she would just have to see what he said.