The truth. That nothing can stop the darkness -- Fall 1973

My dear younger cousin was in his second year, me in my third.  Things were changing around us in the outside world.  I found Regulus working on some studies and sat down next to him.  I had to give him his mission -- there was something he must do.  "Regulus," I said, getting his attention.  "You need to sotp a moment and listen to your cousin."

I looked up from my book and to my cousin.  I sighed.  There was no way to ignore Bellatrix, really.  "What is it?" I questioned, wonering what on earth she would want me for right now that seemed so urgent.

I smiled as sweetly as I could at him.  Something I was not known for doing, but it was a way to get my young cousin to do what I wanted him to do.  "Reg... there is something that you should do now that you have made some connections," I said to him, thinking of those who were on the Quidditch team.

I stared at Bella for a moment before sighing.  I learned to never ignore when she tells you to do something.  "What is it?" I asked her, wondering what connections she was speaking of.

"You need to get into their pockets.. be their little pet if you need to,"I said to him, moving closer so my voice would nto travel to unwanted ears.  "Get in with all those big guys... see what they're up to... who they're following..."

I looked at Bella with slight interest.  "Well, wouldn't it be obvious who they're following?" I asked, lowering my voice.

I rolled my eyes at Regulus.  "Well, yes, but I want to know how close they are to him.  Did they join him?  Or are they more like your parents and just support him," I explained to my younger cousin.

I sighed.  "Why would I do that for you?" I asked her, raising my eyebrows.

I looked at Regulus, a llittle peeved that he was not just agreeing to do this.  I sighed.  "Because I'm your older cousin.  You will do it," I said to him haughtily.  He would listen.

I sighed>  "And what if I stopped listening to you, Bellatrix?" I inquired.  I was not entirely sure if it was worth standing up to her now, but I was not her pet.

I could not believe what Regulus said.  I hit him.  Hard.  "How dare you get snippy with me," I warned him.

I was not expecting the smack across my face.  I stood up, closing my book.  "And how does this make me want to help you at all now?" I inquired, glaring at my cousin.  I was not the gutless little worm that she thought I was.

I glared at him.  When did he get a backbone?  "Regulus, I apologize," I lied easily. "You know how my temper flares -- just like my father's.  Could you, please, just do this for me?" I needed to try to be kinder to him.

Bella's apologies never ring true.  I looked at her with a steady gaze.  "WE'll see," I said to her simply.  I returned to my book, but I knew this converstion was not over.  Bellatrix Black always found ways to get what she wanted.

I glared at REgulus, glad that he had turned to look at his book.  "Why do you have to be like that?" I asked him.