Trick or Treat

Chapter 6

Minerva stared at the single plate before them, set in the centre of the table. That certainly didn't look like a main meal.
Bellatrix thanked the waiter before turning to the lioness.
"Oh I hope you don't mind Minerva love. I took the liberty of ordering starters. Fear not, it's a simple little dish though very tasty." She reached for a piece of the small bread, and held it up.
"What we have here my delectable dear, is a Tomato Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze." Her dark eyes shifted to Minerva.
"Now I do remember your taste for tomato based foods as well as your love for garlic. So I trust you'll enjoy." Bellatrix noticed the slight hesitation, and smiled softly before holding her untouched piece up to the woman.
"Trust me Love, I know you'll like it." Minerva instantly froze at the realisation Bellatrix held the little ensemble up, offering her a bite. Minerva glanced at the food before shifting her eyes to meet the expecting dark orbs. Was that a challenge Minerva saw in her eyes?

Ever so carefully she leaned forward slightly and took a small bite from the offered food, not once taking her eyes off of the evil witch. Normally she wouldn't do that, normally she wouldn't do a lot of things, but whenever this vile creature was around Minerva often found herself throwing caution to the wind. Minerva wasn't necessarily a goody two shoes, not by any means but she had a certain standard, a certain expectation of live and she was certainly raised to never take offered food straight from someone else's hand across the table with her mouth whilst in public. If her mother saw her now, oh what a fit she'd have. Then again if she were to see her now, with the most wanted and feared woman in the wizarding world, the woman who was once Voldemorts right hand woman, who has taken and tortured countless of innocent and not so innocent people, her table manners would certainly not be the main focus here.

"Tell me love, is it to your taste?"
Bellatrix was of course right, she knew it, Minerva knew, waiter probably somehow one knew it. Minerva did enjoy the combination very much.
She sat back, dabbing the corner of her mouth with her napkin, watching as Bellatrix finished her half eaten piece off.
"I've never doubted your taste in food Bella, you've always had excellent taste in that department. Your morals are the things I doubt."
"So what I'm hearing is, I was right and you enjoyed it very much." There it is, there's that overly happy smug little smile of hers. Bellatrix pushed the plate towards Minerva, and the woman took one of her own, taking a bite and savouring the taste.
"Now you say, you doubt my morals. What I'm getting from that is, you don't really believe what you read in the newspaper. Valid really. Neither would I, especially not with little storyteller bimbo that writes for it." Bellatrix also reached for another piece.
"However, it is true. I have left him, for good. He pushed me too far this time my little dove. Too far indeed." She reached for her wine. Minerva studied her a moment, what could he of possibly done that pushed her too far? She's already committed countless acts of absolute terror in his name.
"He hasn't, he hasn't hurt Narcissa has he?"
"Oh please, hurt Cissy." The woman chuckled.
"The woman is as hard as a rock, no he hasn't hurt Cissy, not that he could even if he wanted to. I placed a protective charm on her years ago, as I did with Andromeda, and little Draco. Not that it matters that much given he's under the protection of Hogwarts too." She took another sip of wine.
"Are they still...are they still with him?"
"No. Upon my departure I took them with me. Even her idiot wimp of a husband too. They're safe. That's all anyone needs to know." Minerva took a sip of her own wine.
"Do you place protective charms on everyone in your family?"
"No, only the ones that matter to me. Now I'm sure your curious as to whether I placed one upon you, are you not?"  Minerva remained silent, Bellatrix merely chuckled.
"The charms are ancient magic, something my family used to ensure the bloodline would never die. It's a terrible ritual type thing, needs blood to activate it. I used it a few times over the years, when I killed my father the protective charm he put on us died with him. I renewed my sisters and Lucius'..., his wasn't by choice believe me. I'd let that weasel die in an instant, but Narcissa loves him, and I suppose he is the father of that nephew of mine." Bellatrix poured herself another glass of wine, topping Minerva's up.
"What did he ask you to do?" That simple question rendered Bellatrix speechless, she met Minerva's blue eyes, searching them for anything and everything.
"He asked too much from me. Far too much." Something flickered in the woman's eyes, was that sadness?
"What did he ask Bella?"
"He asked me to take your life."