You never know when a lunatic will come along & give you a sadistic choice to make -- Early Winter 1997

I knew that Draco was not focusing on the task that the Dark Lord had set for him.  I did not trust Snape to be helping either, despite making the Unbreakable Vow with Cissy.  I would take matters into my own hands.  I had hoped that Juniper would get him to get his act together, but that was taking far too long as well.  I was pleased to see that Draco had opted out of the Hogsmeade trip.  It meant he was working on the Vanishing Cabinet and that Juniper would not have her protector anywhere near her.  I saw my blonde niece walking by herself.  I stayed hidden in the shadows as I really did not want to be seen.  Even though I used the Disillusionment Charm on myself, it was not a cloak of invisibility by any means.  I waited until she had become even more isolated from others and moved up beside her, grabbing her forearm and pulling her into the shadows.  "Don't scream, deary," I said, mentally kicking myself.  I had been spending far too much time with that animal Greyback.  "It's just your Auntie Bellatrix..."  I knew that my name would not ease her worries at all, but I wanted her to know who she was dealing with so she knew she could not escape from me.

I was taking one of the sort cuts Draco and I had found to Honeydukes, hoping to surprise him with some of our favourite sweets when I got back to the castle. I tried to convince him to come, saying he needed a break, but he was worried that something would happen to one of us soon if he didn't get working on the cabinet. I offered to stay back as well but he insisted I went and had a good time. Suddenly, something grabbed my arm and pulled me away to a shadowy area. I was about to scream when the female voice said not to. My blood turned cold as I immediately recognized it. She may have had the Disilusoment charm on but that didn't change her voice. Once we had stopped moving, I yanked my arm free of her and took a few large steps back, putting space between us. I knew she was probably here to do his bidding but the fact they were interfering set me on edge. Draco was right, they are becoming impatient. "What do you want?" I asked rubbing my arm, for the first time happy Draco hadn't come. I vowed not to tell him about what was going to happen. He had too much on his plate right now and this was a way i could prove that i didn't need him to protect me all the time. I was sure she knew I was alone but if she didn't, I wasn't going to be the one to tell her.

I shook my head, banishing the disillusionment charm off of myself.  "My, my... you need to remember your manners," I warned her, smiling evilly at her.  "I don't think daddy dearest would like it if his little baby stepped a toe out of line."  Oh how I loved to toy with them all.  It was my favorite past time.

I took a shaky breath and forced myself to remember that Draco wasn't here, they couldn't hurt him if they wanted this task done. I inwardly smiled as I realized that I was the only one they had. Draco was safe. I took a deep breath to give me courage for what I was about to do and smiled up at my Aunt. "I'm terribly sorry Auntie Bellatrix, where are my manners?" I said sarcastically as I gave a mock curtsy. I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't going to let myself be as scared of her as I had been in the past. That was the only way I was able to finish, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company on this fine day?" I hated that my voice was still shaky with fear, I knew she would catch it but it felt kind of good. I knew I had probably crossed the line already, but I was okay with that. They didn't have Draco and I wasn't the little girl I use to be.

I slapped my ungrateful little niece on the cheek rather hard.  It left a red mark instantly.  "You are the only thing keeping Draco from realizing his potential, love.  And I will see to it that he realizes what is at stake if he does not get to the task that you are distracting him from.  He will find there will be no more itty bitty sissy to look after," I said, glaring at her.

The force of her slap made me stagger back a few steps. My trembling hand went to my cheek immediacy, the pain intensified due to the chill in the air. I was happy about it though, somehow it made me think clearer. "Draco knows his potential and I am not distracting him from his task, I'm actually...." I had started to say that I was helping him but Draco didn't want them to find out and I had to respect his wishes since I wasn't telling him about this. I would have to make up a story about my cheek as I was sure it would bruise to some extent. I shook my head to get me back on track. "Draco knows exactly what's at stake." I assured her. I took a shaky breath at the last part, her actual threat. I reminded myself that it was about me. It maybe directed at Draco but it was my life they were talking about. Draco wasn't here. "Is that a kidnapping threat or a death threat?" I asked slowly, happy that there was only a slight catch in my voice from my nerves, "Kidnapping's fine but if it is a death threat, you'll have to get in line."

I started to laugh.  I moved closer to her, circling her.  "Oh no, sweetie, it isn't a threat of kidnapping or death at all.  I want Draco to see what he has done to you by not fulfilling his part of the task quite yet," I said, still smirking at her.  Without any other warning, I hit her with the Crutiatus Curse - my long time favorite.  I did not want to drive her crazy like I typically did when I used it, but I wanted to weaken her so she could not fight back when I used my other torture spells meant to cause more physical than mental harm.

I hated her laugh, it gave me chills I had to force myself not to allow to rack my body. I watched her with my eyes as she circled me and told me her true plan. Not to kidnap me, not to kill me but to tourtue me. I was definitely not telling Draco about this if I could help it. He had enough on his mind right now. Then, she hit me with the Crutiatus Curse and I barly had time to bit my lip before pain like none other filled every part of my body. I felt the blood seep into my mouth from where I was sure I bit through my lip. I couldn't hold back my scream for long and soon, the only thing on my mind was the pain. There was nothing but the pain.

I lifted the curse, the evil smile still playing at my lips.  "I've seen much weaker wizards and witches last longer than you before they screamed," I said, adding insult to injury.  I waved my wand again and a sound like a whip cracking sliced through the air and it hit her, leaving a beautiful welt beneath her robes that i was sure of.  I knew how all of these curses worked; I wanted to make sure taht she was still alive so Draco would fulfill the task.  But I wanted her injured badly enough for him to get in gear.

The pain suddenly stopped and I collapsed to the ground. Aunt Bellatrix's voice kept me conscious although I couldn't comprehend what she was saying. I forced myself to my hands and knees and started to pull myself forwards, not sure if I was headed in the right direction. All I knew is I had to get away. Suddenly I heard a whip crack and my back felt like it was on fire. I collapsed again, my eye closed as I started to feel the blood seep through my robs, making them sticky where a nice straight line of crimson must be. "Draco." I said through slow deep breaths. He had to be okay , I wouldn't let him get hurt. "Draco's not here." I reminded myself with a smile. Once the pain was almost bearable, I pulled myself onto my hands and knees and forced myself to move forward, still not sure if i was going the right way.

I could not help but laugh at her.  "Calling out for brother to save you?" I taunted.  "You better hope this gets his attention... or this will just be the beginning."  I knew it would tug at Draco's heartstrings and make him continue with his task with a new vigor.  I let her crawl a few steps, giving her time to think that she could possibly get away, then I waved my wand.  Invisible ropes bound her ankles and wrists.  "Not so fast, little one," I said, walking over to her and crouching down in front of her.  "I want you to look at me."  I wanted her to hear what I had to say before I tortured her within an inch of life.

Again, I heard Aunt Bellatrix talk but couldn't really process what she was saying. Something about Draco? I shook my head to clear it as I pulled myself forward some more. They wouldn't hurt him if they wanted the task done I reminded myself. When I was finally able to blink back most of the blurriness in my sight, was happy to find I was headed in the right direction. Suddenly, though, my hands and feet came out from under me and I slammed into the ground as my wrists and ankles were restrained. I watched as she came around so I could see her properly. I turned my face away from her in defiance. I may not be able to get away but I would not give her the satisfaction of thinking she could control me that easily.

I grabbed her chin and forced her to turn her head in my direction.  If she closed her eyes, so be it.  I got inches from her face.  "You think you're so noble being defiant and thinking you're protecting your brother," I said, mirthless laughter escaping my lips.  "But, sweetie, this is only going to tear Draco apart to see you so broken and bruised.  It will kill him on the inside knowing that he could have stopped this by just finishing what he started.  So don't you see?  This really isn't such a protection now, is it?"  I laughed again and let go of her before standing up.  I hit her with another curse.  This was really too easy.

Her nails dug into my chin as she lifted it, this time I knew what she was saying. Draco would be upset that I had been hurt but they couldn't kill me if they wanted this task done. That was all that mattered to me right now. She let go of my head and it hit the ground, hard. She hit me with another curse but it was getting to the point where I couldn't tell where one ended and another started, I was in so much pain. I bit my lip and felt more blood seep into my mouth. It made me think clearly enough to remind her, "You...you...can't kill me."

I bent down to whisper into her ear, "There are worse things than death."  And I made sure that she knew it, too.  I continued to torture her for a little while longer, but stopped.  I did need her alive after all.  I bent down and cut my hand and put the tip of my wand in my blood.  Then I did the same with hers.  I put the end of my wand on her forearm and the Dark Mark appeared and then vanished.  I smirked as I backed away from her.  The only ones who would be able to it would be her blood relatives when they touched it... and I knew Draco would hunt for any sign of who did this to her.  I cackled and left her there.  Someone would find her soon enough.