AN: Well, this was originally supposed to be posted this afternoon. Then the outage happened and well here we are. In the future if there is an outage be aware new updates will be posted at the same time on AO3. Use name is the same no spaces and same story name.

Chapter 20: Barely Surviving

Lyon, France

She was alive.

Barely, but she was alive.

And everything. Every part of her hurt.

And people were speaking French.

Why were they speaking French in Azkaban of all things?

It also didn't smell like death.

She then had a flashback of that muggle attacking her and…she was on fire.

"Madam, calm down." A lightly French accented voice said. "I don't want to dose you with another calming drought if we don't have to."

"Where….where….am I?"

"At the hospital." The woman said. "Do not worry your brother is getting you the care you need, Mademoiselle Malfoy."

What the…

Lucius. Somehow he was behind this. Though she still didn't understand how she was in what she assuming was a French hospital of all things.

"I'll have one of the mediwitches fire call him," She said. "He will want to know you're awake."

Cissy would want to know she was awake….but Lucius? And why were they calling her Malfoy.

She then briefly remembered a conversation that she and Lucius had what felt like a long time ago.

"There are some conditions to the deal," Lucius told her when he told her about Amelia's proposal.

"Of course there are. Aren't there always?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange cannot be released from Azkaban." He said.

She gave him a strange look.

"I thought you were a Slytherin, Black."

"They want me to take on a new identity," She said.

"Exactly," he said. "You're a bit too infamous to be released otherwise."

She had agreed to that. And she had agreed to the provisions that she wouldn't have contact with anyone in her old life. Besides, Sirius deserved a fresh start.

It just wasn't supposed to involve her almost getting beaten to death and burned alive.

The pain she felt was unimaginable.

She had known they were going to do something to fake her death, but this? Did they cause Dursley to lose it with her?

She had so many questions, but it hurt too, too, much.

The healer who she had heard earlier said, "I understand you're in pain, mademoiselle. I will get you something soon enough."

"She's awake…"

It was Lucius.

"Yes, she's in extraordinary pain though."

"This will only take a minute," he hissed.

She knew he had dismissed the healer. Funny, how snake like he sounded.

"Black," He hissed

"I suppose it's Malfoy now," She'd smirk if she could.

She could almost see him raising an eyebrow even though she couldn't see anything. She couldn't even open her eyes. She vaguely had a recollection of Dursley trying to gouge them out with her bare hands. Did she succeed? It certainly felt like it.

"For now," he said. "Though you're in no condition for your new life's backstory. Not that you'll even know it's your new back story. You'll just think it's your life."

She grimaced thinking about the potion she had agreed to take. It was a top secret concoction that only the ministry had access to. It seemed so familiar to what had happened to her before, but instead of becoming a monster she'd be someone completely new. A part of her wanted to ask more questions about it to see if she could maybe figure out what had happened to her, but what was the point. She'd soon forget anyway.

"If I even survive," She laughed.

"Amelia wants to know." He said, "I need to know to finalize the deal."

"Cup. Gingotts. Vault. You're my attorney you should have access and if not Cissy."

And then she knew no more.

Lucius Malfoy frowned as he looked at the photos of his sister in-law's face and body. Or what he could see in it. Bellatrix was and would likely be completely covered in bandages for a while. The ministry had certainly done a number on her which was why she was getting a more lucrative settlement than they originally were going to get.

By all accounts she should be dead. He had heard of all of the damage that was caused to her body because of Azkaban, Dursley, and then the fire.

He grimaced thinking about his wife who was still thought she was dead and would think that since Bellatrix wanted everyone to have a fresh start and more importantly the ministry had all but demanded it in order for the deal to go forward.

Other than the fact they were having to pay for her treatment and various reconstruction procedures that were going on, they were probably glad with what had happened. It was definitely easier faking her death this way. No need to use any potions or anything like that, though when transporting her she was put under the same potion her son was.

Though in this case it had been to sustain her life.

Even without the burns, Dursley had almost beaten her to death.

He wasn't a healer, but he knew enough from Narcissa and from basic common sense to know that almost having your eyes gouged out wasn't exactly a light beating.

And that was one of many things done.

"You're going to have to pay a pretty penny for her new face," He told Amelia handing over the file.

He thought he saw Amelia blanched as she saw the photos that had been taken of Bellatrix's injuries, but if he did it was only for a couple of seconds.

"It depends if she has what I want," Amelia snapped. "I take it you have it."

He nodded as he opened up the lead box he had that contained the disgusting thing. It was fairly easy to spot in her vault in Gringotts even if he hadn't known the right spells he would've known what the thing was as soon as he saw it.

"Fucking bastard. That's Helga Hufflepuff's cup."

"Ten points to, fucking Hufflepuff!"" He smirked.

"You can close the bloody top on that thing. I can feel the evilness oozing from it. The unspeakables are going to be all over that shit."

"So, I take it…"

She handed him the envelope. "New IDs, everything. Also, documents that the sentence is commuted should anyone ever realize her real identity. Not that they will. Make sure that doesn't happen, Lucius. Make sure she takes the fucking potion."

"Why would it happen? He said, "Bellatrix Lestrange is dead."

"Good," Ameilia said. "I'll reiterate make sure she takes the potion though. We will both know when she takes it as we discuss."

"Actually, we won't." He said knowing what the potion would do not only Bellatrix but him and Amelia the only ones who knew about the deal.

"Exactly," Amelia smirked thinking about the potion. "Make sure she takes it."

The potion would essentially erase Bellatrix's memories. Her identity. A stipulation the ministry had all but demanded and that Bellatrix had agreed to.

He understood why she had agreed to it and hated it for Sirius and the boy, but admittedly it was in her best interest and his hands were tied since he was representing her. He wouldn't even remember that she had taken it once she took it and neither would Amelia since they were tied to it through the blood agreement they made.

"I'll keep that in mind. Just like you need to keep in mind my new sister is going to need some help given the injuries the ministry has caused her."

He inwardly grimaced at calling the psychotic bitch his sister, even though she was technically his sister in-law. He did owe this to Narcissa though, which was the only reason he had decided to offer his services to Bellatrix when establishing her new identity.

"You told everyone I'm your sister? You don't have a sister."

"Not a legitimate one," he said telling her the coverup story he and Amelia came up with. "Father took mistresses, you see. On the continent. Some of his indiscretions resulted in bastards like you'll be."

Though to his knowledge he had disposed of most if not all of them.

"Yet, I bare the family name."

"Father of course had a few favorites and gave them the family name. You were one of those for whatever reason I do not know."

"It's a weak story," she said. "I don't look anything remotely like you or at the moment like myself."

"You will after a blood adoption and a few reconstruction procedures," He said. "Not that you'll know about it after you take the identity potion. I won't either, to be fair, since the potion will modify my memory as well since I signed the agreement. Amelia too. As far as everyone knows you're dead. We'll all believe it too. Even the staff who will be helping with the adoption ritual have no idea of your real identity. They'll just be thinking I'll be performing a family ritual to help with your healing or something."

"Seriously…."

"I'm offering because of Narcissa. You want a new life, right?"

"Yes, I want nothing….I don't want anyone to have to deal with Bellatrix Lestrange again. They deserve to be free."

Which was why she took the offer. Not that he expected her not too. At least with his family's name she'd be living in a family with similar status. Though, likely after she healed they would not come in contact, since he wouldn't want to be involved with a bastard his father might've spawned on the continent.

If she survived. The amount of procedures she would need to have to be whole were a bit ridiculous based on all the damage that was done. And then who knows how she'd take to the adoption ritual. As an adult it wasn't uncommon for the ritual to outright reject the adoptee killing them.

"The ministry will pay for all procedures of course and care due to the terms of the bargain," Amelia said rolling her eyes. "A generous stipend will be set up to your sister though she'll be thinking it's from your late father. I still can't fucking believe you agreed to have that bitch be your sister."

"She's not Bellatrix Lestrange as we have already stated. And it's not that far out of the way to believe that my father had romps on the continent. In fact, I know he did."

"Your father's romp better stay on the continent," Amelia stated.

"Well, considering she's still willing to take your little potion, I don't think she'll be coming back here. And if she does she'll have no idea about her old life."

"Good enough," Amelia said glaring at the box. "I fucking hate those things."

"Tell Croaker I said hello"

Amelia rolled her eyes. "I can't wait to forget this nonsense. Have her take the potion sooner than later. I need to get the image out of my head as her as your fucking sister."

Neville Longbottom had been smiling since the papers had released the news a few days back.

The bitch was dead.

Normally, he didn't rejoice at anyone's death but it was that bitch.

That bitch who stole his parents.

Odd, that there had been four people who had attacked them but his attention usually focused on her: Bellatrix Lestrange.

Maybe it was because she had been the most vocal about it. He had heard Gran talk about how she acted during the hearings. And now she was dead. Dead!

He was so excited the day broke and excited every day since. He couldn't help but smirk at Draco Malfoy in the classes they shared together. Laughed when the pink toad had taken points off from him for getting the answer wrong in one of their readings, though he quickly got points taken away as well. Laughed when Draco got an A in Potions of all things because Professor Sinistra—who was currently subbing for Snape—didn't kiss his ass like Snape did and didn't like the way he was crushing his lacewings.

He could feel Draco glaring at him, but the blonde hadn't said or done anything…yet.

Rumor was that his parents had grounded him over the break. Probably because he was a pompous asshole.

That or he had gotten a T in History of Magic which was also probable. He heard he had been having to get tutoring in the subject and Transfiguration. Not that Neville was doing that much better in Transfiguration, but he was doing pretty good in History of Magic which might've been why he decided he was going to take a page out of Draco's book and brag about the O he received on his essay about the fourth goblin war.

"Of course, some of us can't pay attention in class or read a book or apparently write a proper essay." He said to Daphne Greengrass after class when they were talking about their essays. Greengrass had been trying to ask him a question about something he had done in his essay, but he blew her off since all he wanted to do was piss off Draco.

Greengrass may have been a Slytherin, but she was one of the quasi-decent ones. And she was someone to talk about History of Magic with. Never mind that he could really care less about any of the goblin wars. His tutor had just made sure he remembered them, and he had to do as decently in theory since his practical was so rotten.

"That actually wasn't what I was asking you about," Greengrass said. She was probably one of the prettiest girls in their class, not counting Susan Bones who was already starting to develop a figure. However, unlike Susan, Daphne had a rather sour disposition.

At least when it came to him.

And he thought she had a sour disposition when it came to Malfoy as well.

"Really, Longbottom, I was just asking you about the how you thought the drought had impacted the war. I'll have you know I got an O- on the essay."

"I wasn't talking about you, Greengrass," he said his eyes now staring directly at Draco.

"Of course, you're not. Instead, you're staring at your latest obsession again. You two would make a cute couple."

Neville grimaced as Malfoy turned the color of his rembrall.

"Oh, did Malfoy not know? I'm so sorry." Daphne said with a smirk. "Don't worry, I'll ask Nott about the essay. I think he got an O as well and he doesn't fantasize about Malfoy."

"I am not interested in Draco Malfoy," Neville found himself saying. "His bitch of an aunt terrorized my parents."

"And she's dead," Malfoy said. "She's dead and you have been celebrating it all bloody week."

Daphne looked at the two of them and shook her head before turning to Malfoy. "Don't lose us anymore points, Malfoy."

"Piss off, Greengrass." Malfoy said getting out his wand.

This was not good.

He honestly didn't know if he could handle himself if Draco decided to fire a curse.

Draco smirked, "Not so cocky now, Longbottom, eh?"

"I wouldn't know about that," Neville said before he decided to go for firing the first spell—he was a Gryffindor after all. "Diffindo!"

Yes, he used the severing curse. It was the first thing that came to mind. He hadn't expected that it would actually hit and work on Malfoy. Not that it did much other than to leave a small gash on Draco's cheek but this just made the situation worse than it already was.

Draco quickly fired back with the same spell, this one hit Neville's wand. His dad's wand. He actually caused the wand to split in half.

All he felt was rage when he saw the brittle wood break and the unicorn hair sticking out of Frank Longbottom's wand. The same wand his father had used to try to defend his family all those years ago. Before he knew what he was doing he had gone up to Draco Malfoy and punched him in the nose.

He felt the cartridge broke and knew he had done a number to it before he found Draco hiss out something that caused him to lose his balance as he fell on the ground.

Jelly leg jinx.

"What on Earth….Expelliarmus!"

It was McGonagall.

They were so busted.

Suspended.

For the fact that he was defending himself which he just pointed out to the headmaster.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy to fighting, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore said. "One your father sought to implement."

"Never stopped you before from giving chances," Draco pointed out. "The Weasley twins got a slapped on the wrist for what they did to Granger."

"Draco…" Mother warned but he could see in her face that he had raised a very valid point. "Draco did not throw the first blow, Professor Dumbledore. That should be taken into consideration."

"He ended up destroying Mr. Longbottom's wand and hitting him with a jelly leg curse. Also, I heard he was first to raise his wand." McGonagall pointed out. How that bitch was still in the room ? He didn't his head of house there.

Though, he guessed technically McGonagall wasn't the head of house of Gryffindor anymore. The Ancient Ruins professor or maybe the stupid Muggle Studies professor was. He really didn't keep up with Gryffindor nonsense. Slytherin now had Sinistra as their interim head of house and she sucked big time.

Of course, McGonagall had to be the one to break up Longbottom's attack on him. He was really surprised the fat lump had the guts to hit him with a cutting curse of all things. And yeah, he might've been the first to raise his wand but he wasn't going to attack. However, he wasn't going to let Longbottom have the last laugh which was why he fought back when he did attack him. He to have some honor after all. Unlike Longbottom, who attacked him like a common muggle.

"I was actually injured," He pointed out, "My nose will never be the same!"

McGonagall rolled her eyes at that, "It looks fine to me."

"It was broken," Draco said. "And why she even in here? I don't have my head of house in here with me."

"Draco, please." His mother said shooting him another look. "She's in here because she witnessed what happened between you and Longbottom. Both of you shouldn't have been fighting."

"But I had to defend my honor, Mother."

"And you can defend your honor suspended." McGonagall said giving him a dagger look for his apparent lack of remorse.

"You're no longer deputy headmistress or even head of your house," Narcissa pointed out shooting a dirty look to McGonagall herself. "Like I told Draco you are just a witness. Really, Professor Dumbledore, I think we can all see that there were extenuating circumstances here. We can't exactly have victims of bullying be suspended."

"Your son a victim…"

McGonagall looked like she was about to blow. He hoped she did. Then maybe Mother would have Father get rid of her.

"Longbottom has been staring at me for days ever since Aunt Bellatrix has died. He has been taunting me." Draco pointed out.

"He hasn't been taunting you," McGonagall said.

"You can ask Professor Umbridge and Professor Sinistra if he laughed at me in class," Draco said. "And you even took five points from the other day when he made that joke about my mispronunciation when we were turning pins into straws."

Another useless lesson, he thought. Granger really did have a point when she mentioned how many useless things they learned in class.

Dumbledore sighed heavily.

"If you suspend him I will be having Lucius look into this," Mother practically hissed looking almost feral.

"That will be unnecessary, Narcissa." Dumbledore said. "No harm seemed to be done to either party and both boys will be disciplined according with school rules."

"Excuse me," Draco said. "My nose and my cheek were injured."

"And Longbottom's wand was destroyed." McGonagall pointed out again.

"Really, how is she an impartial witness?"

"Draco," Mother warned.

"Father would say the same thing," He pointed out.

"Your father would also tell you to let the adults speak and to have proper manners," Mother said before turning to Dumbledore. "I am sorry for Draco's rudeness, but he does have a point admittedly."

Dumbledore sighed before turning to address McGonagall. "Minerva, perhaps it would be best…"

"Augusta will want to know that the boy who destroyed her son's wand is properly punished."

"You can tell Augusta he will be. Just as Neville will be punished as well. Both will be suspended."

Chapter 21: Narcissa deals with Draco's suspension, Andromeda talks to Sirius and may run into a familiar face, we check in on Hermione.