The Dark Lord's Daughter- Book One (A Harry Potter Fan Fic)

Chapter Thirteen: Bellatrix

The first person Leah saw as she arrived at Malfoy Manor was Barty.

"Leah!" His face shone with excitement. He reached down and kissed her fiercely before grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the manor. "Wait until you see. She's so excited to see you."

Leah's heart quickened. The only person who would want to see her was her mother. What if she sees me I'm not at all what she hoped for? The thought penetrated Leah's brain and she couldn't shake it away.

Barty lead her through the halls of the manor, finally stopping outside the doors of the dinning hall. He stopped and waited for her to enter first. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Inside the room were four people. Aunt Narcissa sat in her usual spot at the table. She was pale and her hair seemed to have lost its volume. Uncle Lucius's imprisonment seemed to have impacted her greatly. Her father sat at the head of the table, watching Leah and stroking Nagini's great head as she rested in his shoulders. Of the two other people, the man was tall with a large, unshaven beard. He watched her cross the room with a neutral expression. But Leah only has eyes for the woman standing in front of the fireplace.

Bellatrix's back was too her. Leah's steps faltered. She felt Barty's had touch the small of her back and she gained her courage once more.

Bella had still not turned around as Leah stood right behind her.

"Mother." Leah's voice was barely a whisper, yet she saw her mother's back stiffen as she slowly turned around.

"Is this her?" Bella's voice was shrewd and judgmental as she gave Leah a once over look.

"It is." Her father sounded slightly amused. Leah's heart sank.

Leah remained quiet as Bella continued to look her over. Barty had told her that Bella was excited to see her, but Leah thought the opposite was true.

"Leah." Bella's voice cracked. Her head snapped up and Leah saw her mother's face break into a smile. "You look just like I hoped you would."

Leah smiled in relief as Bella reached out to hug her. "Your father has told me of all your accomplishments. I don't think I've ever felt more proud until this moment."

Bella stepped back and held her daughter at arm's length to study her again. This time Leah could see the pride in her eyes.

Both woman turned towards the table when they heard a small sniffle.

"Cissy," Bella whined. "Don't be like that."

"I'm sorry," Aunt Narcissa said thickly, wiping her eyes. "This is all just so much. Lucius is in jail, you're home safe, I'm loosing three daughters, and Draco-" she hiccuped to a stop, glancing fearfully at the Dark Lord. Leah was the only one who seemed to have noticed it.

"Narcissa," Bella said sharply. "I want to take thank you for taking care of my children when I couldn't. I never thought I'd be cut out to be a mother and I know there's nothing I can give my girls that haven't already given them. But thank you for raising them."

Aunt Narcissa gave a shaken nod and the two sisters embraced.

"Now where are your sisters?" Bella called to Leah.

As Daphne and Amber arrived, Bella's attention turned to them and Leah's turned to her father's as he called her.

"Leah," the Dark Lord called, "let me see your wand."

"My wand?"

"Yes," he hissed.

Leah pulled her wand out from her robes and handed it to him.