Surviving Through You | D.M x Y/N |

PROLOGUE

"Avada Kedavra!"

The muggle-borns surrounding her fall to their death.

The one-year-old is still far too young to understand what death means. The Dark Lord slides his wand behind him, moving slowly toward the infant girl. She's a pureblood—he can tell that much, and so were her parents. But they chose their mudblood friends over their own safety, and now they're both dead as well.

As the Dark Lord approaches the child, he wonders what to do with her. Should he feed her to Nagini or end her life with a flick of his wand? He has no use for her. But just as he's about to draw his wand again, a feminine voice stops him.

"Please, my lord," Narcissa says, stepping forward. "She's a pureblood."

The Dark Lord says nothing, but he turns to study her expression. She looks like a mother aching for her child, and suddenly the Dark Lord remembers her own son—a year-old Draco Malfoy. Being a new mother himself, he can imagine her emotional turmoil. He hears Lucius murmur to Narcissa, urging her to apologise for her impudence. But Narcissa holds her ground, and the Dark Lord is mildly impressed by her courage.

"Do you wish to take responsibility for this little girl?" he asks, his tone cold.

Before Narcissa can respond, another voice interrupts.

"I do." Bellatrix steps forward, her expression as firm as Narcissa's.

"I'll allow the child to live," the Dark Lord announces, "if there is a suitable guardian. If not, I shall end her life here and now."

"Please, my lord," Bellatrix says, bowing deeply, "Let me take the honour."

"What are you on about, Bella?" Narcissa says, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Do you even know how to look after a child?"

"I know perfectly well, Cissy," Bellatrix snaps, "You've already got one son to care for. Trust me, you don't want another."

"It's settled then," the Dark Lord declares coldly, "The responsibility for this child is now in the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange."

The Death Eaters, followed by the Dark Lord, turn to leave. Narcissa lingers for a moment, staring at the child, before Lucius gently takes her away as well. Once they've all gone, Bellatrix cradles the child in her arms.

"Look at you, poor thing," she whispers softly, brushing a lock of hair from the child's face. "I don't even know your name. Let's pick one, shall we?" A smile curves on her lips.

After a moment's thought, she says, "From this day on, you'll be Y/N Lestrange—daughter of Bellatrix Lestrange."