I've been tasked with giving a personal statement. Give the Council of Magical Law something of substance in my defense. The Black family lawyer, a man I thought died long ago, showed up declaring I be placed in the mental ward of St. Mungo's. If I hadn't been chained I would have strangled him.

I assure you I'm perfectly sane.

I will make sure that is known. I wasn't forced to do anything I didn't want to do. I hear him now. The maniac is up there spewing his vile. Telling them I was a victim that the Dark Lord did things to me. That I was from a respectable family and wouldn't do something like this on my own freewill. Making claims that I was under the Imperious.

Bullocks!

I pull and tear at the bars. The suspended cage swings violently the swift back and forth coupled with my empty stomach is making me nauseous. If I could only...I stop. There is no use fighting against enchanted steel. The guards stare. Some out of curiosity, others out of disgust. That don't know what to make of me. At this present time, I don't know what to make of myself.

The hole overhead narrows blocking out the light. It's over. At least the pre-hearing is over. I'm ushered to a small heavily enchanted room. In trots Barnabas, from the way he pulls up a chair you would think he was having dinner with an old friend instead of a woman facing the Dementor's Kiss.

He cleared his throat looking over a piece of parchment at me.

"Bellatrix?"

I hiss jerking on the chain connected to the table.

His eyes widen; a strange look settles on his face before it shifts into something I can only describe as...glee.

"Yes! This is perfect!"

I'm confused.

"I don't consider this an ideal situation!"

"No it's not but I am glad to see you are coming around. Your sister, the younger, stated you would be against the idea of an insanity plea but this," he jabs his index finger into the table bending the nail near its breaking point, "this is absolute gold. I'll have you in your own room at St. Mungo's in no time if you keep this up."

He chuckled rummaging around in an old knapsack.

"This was Narcissa's idea?" I hiss. She should know better.

"Oh yes, quite brilliant I must add. That one has always been a smart cookie, unfortunate she was married off to the Malfoy bloke. Hopefully, the boy inherited her smarts." His lips down turn and he shakes his head as he continues searching.

Well, we've found something we can agree on.

I look around the room, if only he hadn't...disappeared. I refuse to say died. Because I know he didn't he'll be back for us. For me. I have to believe that or all of these years will have been in vain. The six. I wonder was he able to complete them before...

"Bellatrix, we need to start putting together your defense. I am claiming you suffered severe mental duress during your forced service under the Dark Lord. Do you have any scars or recent bruises to support these claims?"

"Mental duress?" If I wasn't so shocked I'd laugh.

"Yes. I am claiming the Dark Lord took certain...liberties," he draws out the word his hard gaze penetrating mine, "with you."

"Certain liberties?" I repeat this phrase. I can't yell it loud enough the man didn't force me to do anything.

He's becoming agitated, I can't blame him really. I keep repeating everything; I'm really starting to sound mad.

"Forced intimacies. I will tell the council that you will need to be examined by a healer for...trauma."

He's finally found what he's looking for as he places a stack of parchment between us.

"Bellatrix, as your lawyer..."

"I'm not paying you."

"No, but your sister is; she wanted to make sure you got the best council galleons could buy. Now, I would like to discuss your defense. I have put together a timeline dating back to your first encounter with the Dark Lord. From my research it was during your Seventh year." He pushes the paper over to me. I can only look them over. The information he has seems unreal.

"How did you get all of this?" I stare at him feeling violated.

"Don't worry everything was mainly above board. Unlike some that come to mind. My associates and I are careful to toe ethical lines." He cleared his throat straightening the flat bow tie at his neck.

I look it over. Everything is, well...accurate. However he got it he's good. Some of this information only Narcissa would know. Other bits only Andromeda would have known. Is she trying to help me? I shake the thought. Part of this is her fault. It's no big deal to play around with a Mudblood. It can be quite fun, but to marry one...have his child? That was unforgivable.

She knows that.

Barnabas is staring his jaw slack. I glare at him. Unfazed, he smiles nodding in approval.

"Yes, this may be easier than I thought." He whispers the lopsided grin is driving me to the edge. I may be insane by the time this is over.

We sit in silence and I watch him take notes until he finally slides the ink pot and quill over to me along with a blank piece of parchment.

"Write what happened to you."

I move to speak but he quickly holds up a hand.

"No. Bellatrix, you will write what happened to you. Then," he pulls another blank piece of parchment, "you will write an apology." He quickly rises. I try to do the same but I am quickly pulled down into the chair.

"Now," he leans in close he nose nearly touching mine, "if you don't want to rot in this place I would suggest you find some bruises," he stands up straight looking down at me, "you've only been in here two days so any fresh cuts would not have had time to heal on their own nor, given the excessive force used to detain you both by the Death Eaters and the Aurors, you would have not had time to heal the cuts. So..." he wiggled his eyebrows, "you're a smart girl you'll figure out the rest. Simply put find some marks."

He turns heading for the door but turns just as he raises his fist.

"I will return a at noon. Your trial is set to at 1pm. Have those ready and don't hold back. No detail is too small."