The Truth.

14: Insanity

Arriving back at the Black's home with apparition, blinking into existence in the main room of the manor to find, well chaos. Watching in muted shock as I found the room in a complete mess and everyone at each other's throat. Lucian's face was twisted into an enraged snarl with his hand around Greybacks throat, Tom arguing with Lucius and Narcissa which would have been a funny sight any other time, Draco standing completely frozen staring at the fireplace with disbelief.

Something had happened here. I could smell the trio that had been here, making me sneer in disgust. I then latched onto Bella, who was kneeled in the room, a chandelier smashed in front of her. All the people in the room disappeared and I completely focused purely on Bellatrix, I rushed to her aid, my knees slamming against the floor sending shocks up my legs; but all I could focus on was Bella. The feeling of her slipping further into her insanity.

I heard yells of joy as people finally noticed my presence but all I could concentrate on was Bellatrix, who looked so crushed and dishevelled. Catching her muttering "What did we do?" over and over. My arms wrapped around my broken mate and she lashed out, scratching my face but I ignored it holding her more securely and tight.

My heart broke as she screeched, trying to break free of my hold as she convulsed, a psychotic look upon her face. The loud screeching making me wince. She's let her insanity take over...The whole room went silent when I waved my hand putting Bellatrix to rest under my spell and she slumped in my arms, body finally relaxed. I growled lowly "Somebody explain now."

Two weeks, that's how long I had been trapped in my own mind, fighting my fears. I was still covered in blood and reeked of citrus and death. Lucian had quickly cleared the room, finding out the Greyback had sneered out an offensive term about me then spoke negatively about Tom which further set Lucian off. Narcissa glanced worriedly towards Bellatrix, but was ushered forward by Draco who sent me a smile with apologies in his eyes.

Lucian sounded tired as he said, "It was as if you didn't want to be found. The bond between you and Bellatrix had been weakened before it cut off the day you disappeared. By the end of the week, she devolved further into her insanity becoming what she doesn't want to be or what the rest of the wizarding world expected her to be. The great insane Bellatrix Black." Tom continued, "I think she found it easier to fit into the role that everyone expected of her but the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father cracked her personality. Shielding her from the worst of it." Tom voice held some anger as he spoke, his eyes holding rage within them.

I knew of this, and knew that it wasn't just a trauma response. My voice shook as I gazed down at Bella, knowing that I would have to share the reason. "Her father cursed her. When she's not working, she spends all of her free time she can researching a cure. We both do, though Bellatrix would prefer to do this on her own." Sighing as I could feel their shock, knowing it was something she refused to tell, "My mate is stubborn and sometimes that stubborn is too much for her own good. It's something she wants to fight on her own, but I fear it is something she will need help with." Looking up to see both of their determined faces.

Tom voice hissed out, like a snake, "I will lend my aid. Bellatrix has helped me with so much, and I wish to help her in any way I can." He halted my speech with his a simple glare. "Hermione, let me do this. I took her under my wing and failed to see the damage that disgusting man had done. Too caught up in my own scheme, I failed to see my best warrior under duress. Again, amazing me with everything she does." I hear the fondness in Tom's tone, an almost fatherly tone. Lucian squeezed his shoulder, Tom's hand connecting with his in a thankful gesture. Tom then nodded before leaving the room.

It was an odd moment, but I was too exhausted to figure out what the Merlin had happened. My concern growing for my mate, who looked so peaceful curled up in my arms. Lucian then went on, "Tom loves Bellatrix like his own. Nagini loves Bellatrix too, like a sibling." Huffing out a laugh, the serpent was thought to be evil and unable to transform back into her human form. This was a lie fabricated by Dumbledore to make 'Lord Voldemort' to appear more evil. She was still able to morph into her human form, she just preferred her snake one. Lucian's voice broke me from my lapse in thought.