Ultimatums

Chapter 27

Bellatrix huffed as Rodolphus pulled at her arm.

"Why do we have to go? I saw Cissa last week, and I don't even want to look at Lucius right now, he's -"

"Trixie, please. The Dark Lord is attending this dinner, and we have to make a good impression. Come"

Bellatrix's eye twitched at the nickname, but she gave way and allowed him to pull her up the path to Malfoy Manor. She'd heard of the Dark Lord, though she thought no praise of him. Frankly, she thought him a coward, a man who manipulated others to do his bidding.

But she let Lestrange introduce her to people she hadn't met around the table anyway, more with a sense of duty to her family than duty to this Lord. Bellatrix sent a promiscuous wink to the oldest Rosier, just before the last person entered the room.

He walked softly, without a sense of urgency, and commanded the attention of the whole room with just his foot steps. Dark curls swept into his forever changing brown eyes, and contrasted greatly with the pale colour of his skin. He sat at the head of the table, surveying them all, and Bellatrix was captivated.

"I have a vision" he started, stroking his wand. "A vision that most wizards will not agree with. But one that must come to light"

"And what's that?" Travers asked.

"Crucio. I will not be interrupted. Never again"

Tom Riddle knew the importance of setting an example. When he had Travers writhing on the floor, he saw backs straighten and eyes widen. Eyes full of either fear or admiration, though both are excellent tools for moulding. Moulding followers, moulding soldiers.

"Now. As I was saying" Riddle continued on when Travers had quietened down. "My vision must come to light. A world where wizards and witches are not in hiding. Not in fear of the muggles. A world where mudbloods are eradicated from our society. A world where we are safe."

Bellatrix's eyes gleamed. "My Lord. How do we go about this?"

Riddle surveyed her. He'd been told about the woman from senior wizards. Told that she had the makings of a very powerful woman, but the Blacks were marrying her off. Out of the way from possible reputation tarnishing. "By listening to my every order. Every plan must work to perfection. Every command must be followed out. Your name, witch?"

"Bellatrix. Bellatrix Black" she answered breathily.

"Bellatrix soon to be Lestrange" Rodolphus added, and both Bella and Riddle scowled at him.

"Well then. Bellatrix. You shall be one of the first to be branded with my mark. The mark of the Death Eaters"

Tom Riddle continued to talk about the cause, the progress they were making and Narcissa began to drift off. Like her sister, she was forced (though Lucius liked to say persuaded) to attend this dinner, and the man infront of her disgusted her.

Nita had gotten her to think about her own opinions, not the ones she'd adopted from her parents and pureblood society. And while some still coincided with the Blacks, the brutal killings of the Muggles and mud- Muggleborns seemed wrong. So Narcissa began to think about shopping for Dora's birthday instead. She was thinking of a new doll, she liked the one she gave her last time...

"... and I've heard there's a magnificent talent in Hogwarts. Going into Sixth Year. Hermione Potter"

Both Narcissa and Bellatrix stiffened in shock, as did many of the other people at the table who had or did go to school with the girl.

"I see majority of you know her, with the response her name has garnered" Tom Riddle's lips split into a sickening smile, making Narcissa shiver.

"Well? Will anyone say anything about her?" he prodded.

For once Bellatrix remained silent. Lucius and the Lestranges felt on edge, not willing to rat out the younger girl they were so fond of, and Narcissa's expression was steely. It took a few moments before Travers, eager to regain Riddle's favour, spoke up.

He started to ramble keenly "She's got loads of issues with her family. Proper outsider. And her and Regulus Black are super close. Never see one without the other, them two. She saved his life, exposing her power to everyone, and she hates Dumbledore. Rants about him all the time. Hmm what else, what else... Oh, everyone knows she's years ahead her year. Black too actually. Smart ones them"

Bellatrix could've murdered him on the spot. She glared at him menacingly, and the man shrunk into his seat.

Riddle seemed satisfied with his answers, however, and nodded "dismissed" before leaving the hall.

Everyone filed out after, except Bellatrix, Rabastan, Rodolphus and Lucius. Narcissa found that torturing made her sick to the stomach, so she left her friends with Travers and called her house elf to bring her home, screams following her exit.

☏

Hermione was drinking tea in the parlour with Lady Black when the group arrived. She had taken her surprise visit happily, twisting it into the perfect match making opportunity. Orion was just happy to have someone to calm his wife down when Sirius went on his tirades. Punishing the boy was always so unpleasant for him.

Bellatrix knocked on Grimmauld Place's door, Rodolphus and Rabastan on her left and right behind her. When Hermione answered, they each had a look of surprise, masking the guilt.

"Hermione darling, what are you doing here?" Bellatrix asked as she pulled her into a hug and followed her into the house.

"I ran away"

Rabastan scoffed "Finally."

"Well that's just brilliant because I have to talk to you and Reg. Stannie and Rodolphus are just here on business with Uncle Orion. The drawing room just fine?"

She didn't wait for a reply, walking up the stairs and leaving the two men and teenager to scurry after her in her wake. "Regulus, drawing room if you please"

When the Lestranges parted ways, Regulus came jogging down the stairs. "Bella. I didn't know you were scheduled to come here today...?" he trailed off, leaving the question open, but the witch waved him off.

She sat on the sofa by the fireplace, gesturing for the teens to sit in the armchairs opposite. She had her back to the family tree, and she turned around to squint at it. Bellatrix traced her fingers over her own face, before following the golden thread to Euphemia's. She was surprised the woman wasn't burned off, but the Potters were barred from the tree.

"I'm not there" Hermione observed, watching the witch's fingers move elegantly.

"You aren't. The tree has only Sacred 28 members on there. You'd have to marry into one to be on here" Regulus told her, staring at his own face in disgust. "It's an awful tree"

Bellatrix scowled and snapped "it represents our heritage. Have some respect, Regulus"

The boy rolled his eyes but allowed his cousin to continue on. Her red lips moved quickly, as she told them all about the meeting. Bellatrix gushed about Riddle, eulogising everything he had said, causing deep frowns to appear on the teens faces. Though they only deepened when Bellatrix went on to tell them about Travers.

"... the weasel told the Lord everything about you Nita. Your friendship with Reg, your powers, your hatred of Dumbledore. The Dark Lord has painted a target on your back, love. He wants you"

Hermione cleared her throat and took Regulus's ghostly pale hand tightly. "I won't be a Death Eater. Not ever, Bella"

"Are you sure, Nita? That cause -"

"She's not, Bellatrix. She is safe from being forced, don't try and coerce her" Regulus snapped, cutting across her.

The witch scowled. She stood, casting one last look at the tree, before storming away. However Regulus and Hermione knew it wasn't over, and she would be back eventually.