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

I looked up at Bella, but barely.  "Like what?" I questioned, marking my page in my book.  I stood up and went to walk away, but instead I faced her.  "You just don't like the fact that I have developed a backbone against you."

I clenched my jaw and took a deep breath,d igging down for some exaggerated patience -- something that I was not good at, mind you.  "On the contrary," I replied to Regulus with ease, though I was not sure I was fooling him.  He knew me too well.  "I'm rather pleased you're starting to get a backbone because you'll need it with those guys."

I cocked an eyebrow as I looked at Bella.  i knew better than to believe her.  I smirked slightly.  "Right" I said sarcastically, moving away from her.  "I don't know what I'll do, bella.  I'm not your little slave."

My eyes narrowed at Regulus.  I did not enjoy his new backbone.  He was not going to bend as easily as before.  And I was not okay with that.  "You will do as I say, Regulus, or I will go to Uncle Orion and Aunt Walberga," I said to him.  I would use his parents against him if he was no longer fearful of me.

I laughed at her.  "Having to use my parents against me?  How lame," I said to her, dismissing Bellatrix because she hated when people did that to her.  I walked away from her, but I kne wfull well that sh ewould follow me.

How dare he!  I moved quickly to keep up with Regulus' strides.  "We are taught to use every weapon at our disposal," I pointed out to him.  "You would do best to remember that."

I raised my eyebrows at Bella.  "Ah, well, as they are my parents, they are my weapons to use, not yours," I reminded her with a bit of sarcasm lacing my words.  This was why I hated being in the middle of everything.  I admired Sirius more than he would ever realize, yet I still wanted to be praised and well-viewed by the rest of my family.  It was difficult to maintain a balance.  And after having been Sorted into Slytherin, it was harder and harder for me to get away from the darkness that was the Black family.

I narrowed my eyes at Regulus.  Soft, young Regulus.  "We shall see about that," I retorted.  I knew my Aunt Walburga and Uncle Orion would back me up if they, for one moment, thought that Reg was not taking any of this seriously or his faith in the Dark Lord was lack.

I laughed skeptically at her, knowing it would make her angry.  I saw her eyes flash and I knew I had succeeded.  "Step away from me, Bellatrix; I can fend formyself and I do not fear you, even though you would like me to," I said to her simply.

I glared at my younger cousin.  "You would do well to remember that I can easily ruin you," I warned him darkly.

I cocked an eyebrow.  "I think it'd well for you to remember I could do the same bloody thing soon enough," I said to her, matching her tone perfectly.