The Marauders Begin (I)

Showdown

May 2, 1972

On the Hogwarts grounds, the scene is set for the final confrontation between the Black sisters. The Death Eaters are hurriedly sprinting down the slope towards the Forbidden Forest. ANDROMEDA, exiting the Castle, spots them and chases them down. NARCISSA follows suit.

ANDROMEDA: Bellatrix!

BELLATRIX turns around and sees her sisters coming for her. She smiles maliciously, and takes out her wand.

BELLATRIX: Well, well, well. Look who's come to see the show.

ANDROMEDA: I know what you tried to do tonight, Bella. But you failed. Slughorn is still alive. The Dark Lord won't be too pleased, will he?

BELLATRIX: The night is not over yet, Andromeda. Once those pathetic teachers get down here, we will defeat them and enter the castle once more. Your Potions Master will not live to see the the sun rise.

ANDROMEDA: I don't think so. The Cabinet's destroyed, Bella. I set it on fire. You can't use it to get back to Borgin and Burke's.

BELLATRIX: You didn't-

ANDROMEDA: Oh, yes, I did. I told you that I make my own decisions in this world. And I have. You've chosen your side, and I've chosen mine.

BELLATRIX: You cannot choose, Andromeda! You were born into this family! Nothing you do can change that!

ANDROMEDA: I already have. I think I've known for a long time now, that I could never follow your footsteps into the evils of this world.

BELLATRIX: There is no good or evil, Andromeda! There is only power, and those too weak to seek it, such as yourself. Now stop talking about things you don't understand!

ANDROMEDA: But for the first time, I do understand. I've always known that I was meant for something more than that. And now, I have sealed my own destiny. For I carry the unborn child of Ted Tonks in my womb at this moment. I love him, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life with him. And there's nothing you can do to change that.

For a moment, BELLATRIX simply stares at her sister, completely dumbfounded. She then raises her wand and steps towards her sister, pushing her up against the trunk of a tree.

NARCISSA: Bella, no!

BELLATRIX continues to stare into ANDROMEDA'S eyes, as if she no longer knows the person she sees before her.

BELLATRIX: If... what you say is true, then we will never see each other again. You understand?

ANDROMEDA silently nods. From behind the, lights erupt from the Castle, spilling out over the grounds. The teachers begin to sprint towards the Forest.

RODOLPHUS: Bella, we have to go. Now!

BELLATRIX takes one final look at ANDROMEDA, then releases her and sprints deep into the forest, with RODOLPHUS and RABASTAN behind her.

MINERVA: (sprinting down the hill) Where are they? Where did they go?

NARCISSA tries to speak, but cannot. She simply points to the Forest, and MINERVA, POPPY, POMONA, and VECTOR follow the Death Eaters' path.