INFERI (REGULUS BLACK)

51

Regulus inwardly groaned, raising his wand. He'd hoped for the dinner to go smoothly, according to his plan, but his deranged cousin just had to show up.

"What do you want Bella?" he said warily, keeping an eye on Rowle and Rookwood, the two Death Eaters she'd brought with her.

"I don't want anything Reg," Bellatrix grinned maniacally. "The Dark Lord wishes you dead for your impertinence, and I gladly volunteered."

One of the major flaws of his cousin was to blabber with and frighten her victim, which bought Regulus more time. He quickly pressed his foot on Sirius's, hoping he'll get the message. Thankfully, Sirius understood, giving a slight nod and grasped Aoife's hand tightly. She looked bewildered, but fortunately chose to keep mum.

"And our dear blood traitor cousin is here too," Bellatrix cackled, noticing Sirius. "Is that a filthy Muggle? I'm sure the Dark Lord would reward me handsomely for your dead bodies." She pointed her wand at him. "Rowle, Rookwood," she ordered. "You capture my dearest cousin. I'll finish the blood traitor first."

Most of the Muggles present had run away, but one stupidly brave waiter stepped between them.

"Who are you lot?" He said, his voice shaking a bit. "Unhand those two, if you don't want to end up in prison!"

Bellatrix gave a scornful laugh. "As if some Muggle authority can stop me. Crucio!" This spell was intended for the waiter, but was deflected by Sirius.

The waiter, loosing his nerve, ran out of the restaurant for the nearest telephone booth. They all could see his gesticulate frantically while he talked, presumably to the police. The rest of the Muggles fled, leaving only the Death Eaters and the Black brothers with Aoife. She did not look like she was taking it well.

"Ah, I see my cousins have found a Muggle pet," Bellatrix sneered, her eyes locked on Aoife. "I never thought you could sink so low."

She grasped Aoife's hand who gave a little shriek of surprise. Sirius raised his wand and pointed it at Bellatrix, holding on tightly to Aoife's other hand. "Leave her," he threatened. "Or else it won't be good for you."

Behind Bellatrix, he could see that Regulus had bound and gagged the other two Death Eaters, and was waiting for them. He also had his wand pointed at Bellatrix's back in case things went awry.

In one swift motion, Bellatrix had freed Aoife from Sirius's grasp, and had her wand pointed at her throat. Both Sirius and Regulus started, but were stopped by Bellatrix's snarl. "Take one more step, and you'll see just how filthy her blood is."

"Leave her Bellatrix," both brothers chorused.

Bellatrix turned around to face Regulus, looking pleasantly surprised. "You would've been a great Death Eater Regulus," she smiled menacingly. "If only you didn't run away to join your blood traitor brother."

Her wand was digging in Aoife's neck. She looked expectantly at Regulus, hoping for some affirmation or instruction. Regulus didn't look at her, his eyes boring in Bellatrix's.

"What do you want Bella?" he asked, lowering his wand slightly.

Sirius made vehement noises from behind her, making elaborate signals about what was possibly an escape plan. He couldn't understand even one, but from the looks of it, Aoife had understood, presumably from the mirror conveniently placed behind Regulus.

"Hey Bellatrix," Aoife said nonchalantly. "I think I saw you last week. We're you in the Farmer's Market which happened?"

"How dare you talk to me!" Bellatrix shrieked. "You filthy little Muggle. I would die before I set foot on such a place."

Her attention now on Aoife, who was quite enjoying the role, Regulus and Sirius positioned themselves behind Bellatrix, who was yelling loud enough to wake the dead. They could see sparks fly from her wand, and knew they'd have to hurry.

Together, both of them shot quite powerful stunning spells simultaneously, causing Bellatrix to collapse. Sirius rushed to pick Aoife up, who had fallen alongside her captor.

"Thanks," she dusted her clothes. "I don't think I have much of an appetite left. Care to go back to the house?"

After assuring Sirius she was fine, and that no spell had hit her, she apparated with Sirius, Regulus following them. What puzzled his was that he had seen a spell hit Aoife, and from his limited knowledge he knew that it was a Dark curse, but then why did she seem fine? As if nothing had hit her?

As they landed near the invisible gate of the currently invisible house in which they were hiding, Regulus knew who'd have the answer of this question.

Belladonna.

As soon as they entered the house, Aoife and Sirius had taken over the kitchen, yelling at Regulus to join them. He declined, and headed outside again to wait for Belladonna.