Rebel Underground

“Now then Mr. Potter we all know each other.”Lucius said as he removed his mask. Bellatrix rolled her eyes at the idiot. How he was put in charge of the mission instead of her she didn’t know. There was no doubt that he was going to screw it up and she would likely get blamed and punished for it. Bellatrix always regretted not killing him at Hogwarts but thought he was a better option for Narcissa than some of the other pureblood boys on the market. Bellatrix’s own husband being one of them. The man was a brute and liked to flaunt his ownership of her to anyone who would listen. He of course was too afraid to say anything when she was around but liked to brag about her taking his last name. Her marriage being another thing she didn’t understand. The Dark Lord had promised she wouldn’t have to marry anyone but had officiated her wedding to Rodphous. 

“Bellatrix I know you’re there.”

Bellatrix jumped at the sound of a female voice inside her mind. Looking around she tried to find out the owner of the voice but didn’t see anyone looking her way. Nor did she recognize the voice.

“It should be you in charge of this mission. Not someone weak like Lucius.”

Bellatrix wondered if this was part of the Black family curse. Hearing voices.

“It’s not part of the curse. I assure you.”

Bellatrix looked around again and noticed that Potter’s mud blood was staring at her. Bellatrix wasn’t sure how the girl saw her as she was very well hidden. 

“Yes it’s the mud blood talking to you. That doesn’t change the fact that I’m right. Lucius is a weak pitiful fool who doesn’t deserve Narcissa. He should kneel at her feet and treat her like the queen she is. Yet he forces her to act meek and claim a bastard child as her own.”

Bellatrix went wide eyed. No-one but Lucius, Narcissa, she and the Dark Lord knew of Draco’s origins. It made her wonder how the mud blood knew.

“It’s obvious he doesn’t have Black blood flowing though his veins. He doesn’t even know Black family magic or how to defend himself against it.”

Bellatrix had now confirmed that the girl could read her mind but that brought up more questions. Like how she got though her walls and how she knew about Black family magic.

“I have a Black Family blood bond with Andromeda.”

Bellatrix couldn’t even hold back the gasp she released hearing that information. The Black family had many rituals to guarantee that their family stayed pure. Rituals that were deemed dark magic and had gone out of style over the years. The Black family blood bond basically purified a muggleborn or a half blood’s blood and made them a pureblood member of the Black family. To hear that Andromeda who had turned her back on the family performed the ritual was shocking.

“There are many things you don’t know about Andromeda. The main thing being she never turned her back on her family. Not willingly at least. You don’t have to worry though I’ve taken care of those obstacles and she has once again embraced her heritage.”

Bellatrix wondered what that meant and why Hermione was talking to her.

“My purpose for reaching out to you is to open your eyes to the abuse you are subjected to. You know I’m right. Look at the way this mission is going. I already have planned our escape and once this is all over half of you will be arrested. All because Lucius is too much of a coward to use force to take the orb. The orb that isn’t even the real one. I switched them out before Harry collected it. When it’s all over who’s going to get the blame for it failing. Not Lucius because he funds the Dark Lord’s war machine. You however are going to be tortured and humiliated in front of everyone. Even your scumbag husband who the Dark Lord made a deal with his family and your father to arrange the marriage.”  

Two major things stuck out of what Bellatrix just heard. One the orb had been switched. Which meant that Hermione wasn’t working for the Order and two that the Dark Lord arranged her marriage. Meaning she was lied to. She however was not going to take a muggleborn’s word over the Dark Lord’s however.

“I wouldn’t expect you to take my word. I have proof though. I have Cygnus’ diaries that I stole from Black Family Manor. He outlines all kind of things in there. Like the fact that the Dark Lord cured him of the Black family curse. Something he has yet to do for you.”

Bellatrix couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The curse that plagued the eldest child of every Black family Head of Household was something she had feared since she found out what it was. Anyone who was destine to lose their magic and mind would have feared it. To learn it could be cured and that her Lord knew how infuriated her. She was his most loyal. Why had he done this to her and to find out he brokered her marriage when he promised it wouldn’t happen. She was going to kill him.

“Alright before you do something hasty and get yourself killed you need to calm down.”

Calm down. Bellatrix didn’t think she would be able to calm down again.

“You have to think of your sisters. If you die then who will save Narcissa and Andromeda. I’m only one person I can’t do it alone.”

Bellatrix took a deep breath. The girl was right. She needed to have a clear head to help her sisters. That meant they had to make a plan.

“I’m glad you are calm. Now as for a plan I have the spell to remove the Black family curse off of you. Narcissa can do it because she is of Black blood. I also have the spell to undo the bindings that were put on both of you doing your wedding ceremonies. The Malfoy one was a little tricky to obtain but I was able to get it. The less said about how I went about that the better.”

Bellatrix didn’t even know that there were spells to undo the marriage bonds. At least the Dark Lord said there wasn’t. That being another thing he lied about. It made Bellatrix wonder what else he was lying about. She never truly believed in the blood purity nonsense and mostly joined the cause to protect Narcissa and have a say in her own future. Now she was getting proof that the man who promised to be her savior was using her just like her family had. 

“Another thing that should be brought up is why hasn’t he given you a rejuvenation potion or something to fix your teeth. You are Lady Black rightful Head of Household for the Black family and yet you dress like a pauper. He claims to hate muggles and muggleborns but he has you the most respectable witch in Britain dressing in rags with your teeth rotting out of your mouth. Why is that a Malfoy is dressing in finery and wasting money on peacocks when a Black is subjugated to dressing worse than a house elf?”

Bellatrix covered her mouth with her hand. The Death Eaters liked to make comments about her appearance but Bellatrix didn’t pay them much mind. Thinking about it though she was supposed to be his right hand. The face of the cause yet he used her appearance as a reason to put Lucius there instead. It was just another way to bring her down. She wonder if Narcissa could make the potions for her.

“I have the ones you need in my bag. Andromeda and I used my knowledge of muggle medicine and her healer knowledge to create a potion that will fix your teeth. Neither of us want you looking like anything other than what a member of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black should look like. We also worked out a deal with a dress maker who is willing to come to you and make you some new clothes. I have her information for you as well.”

Although thankful for Andromeda and the muggleborn’s help Bellatrix couldn’t help but wonder what was their motivation. Why were they reaching out to her and why did they take the orb.

“My name is Hermione. It used to be Hermione Granger but now it’s officially Hermione Black. You want to know my motivation well it’s very easy to explain. I met Andromeda at an Order meeting where I noticed that something wasn’t quite right with her. I spent the day observing her and couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. I stalked her from the shadows where I witnessed her husband Ted using theImperius curse on her.”

Bellatrix growled hearing that. She had always thought it was strange that someone who exclusively dated women would suddenly become so in love with a boy. A boy that wasn’t even that interesting. It did guarantee that she was going to kill him.

“I already killed him. After seeing that I made a visit to Knockturn Alley were I purchased a vial of traceless poison and I poisoned his tea. I then visited Andromeda under the guise of paying my respects and explained everything that happened. We investigated and found out that Dumbledore had ordered Ted to do it so that he could use Andromeda as propaganda to show that purebloods would go against their own families for his cause.”

Bellatrix was pleased that Hermione had killed Ted. Hearing that Dumbledore was responsible for all this made her want to kill him as well. They still needed a plan though.

“Andy and I have been quietly causing discord amongst the Order. Nothing too blatant but enough that some people are starting to question Dumbledore’s motives. Andy wrote you and Narcissa detailing what we are doing and how we hope you can help. Everything is in the bag I’m carrying. You just need to figure out a way to get it and leave before everyone gets caught.”

Looking back to the group Bellatrix could tell the negotiations were not going well. She couldn’t make the first move though. Stepping out of the shadows she ignored Hermione and focused on Harry.”Now, now Potter you be a good boy and hand over the orb.”

“I’m not giving you anything Lestrange.”Harry said.

Bellatrix didn’t miss the flash of anger that crossed Hermione’s face hearing that last name.”Then I guess we will have to take it.”

“I was just getting the boy to give it to me.”Lucius told her.

“You weren’t doing shit and the longer we wait around the more likely we are to get caught.”Bellatrix kept one eye on Hermione the entire time she was talking to Lucius. That was the only reason she knew to jump out of the way when the girl fired a spell at the man causing him to fly backwards.

“Now.”Hermione yelled.

Bellatrix watched in awe as the students fired spell after spell knocking down shelves of prophesies. It was a brilliant plan and Bellatrix was pretty sure that Hermione was the one who came up with it. Noticing that the other Death Eaters were just standing around she rolled her eyes.”Go after them you morons.”

“Got it.”One of them replied causing all of them to start running.

Bellatrix took off in the direction Hermione went jumping out of the way of various spells shot at her. She found the group in a room with a hole in the middle of the floor. Waiting for the other Death Eaters to arrive she pointed down the hole.”Everyone grab one but leave the mud blood for me.”

“You got it Lestrange.”Someone replied before they all dispersed into smoke and headed after the teenagers.

“Nowhere to run to now muddy.”Bellatrix held Hermione tight to her body and lowered her voice.”Where’s the bag?”

“My back pocket is charmed it’s in there.”Hermione told her.

Bellatrix worked her hand slowly in between her and Hermione’s body and reached her hand into the girl’s back pocket. Like she was told she found a bag. Slipping her hand underneath her robe she attached the bag to her side.”How can I reach you again?”

“Andy’s letter will explain everything and give you a way to reach out to us.”Hermione said.

Before Bellatrix could say anything else members of the Order started appearing in the room.”Shit.”

“Get Sirius alone with no witnesses.”Hermione told her.

“What do you have planned?”Bellatrix asked.

“I’m getting you your title back.”Hermione said.

“Alright.”Bellatrix wasn’t sure how Hermione was going to do that as Bellatrix gave up her claim once she was married but she would follow the girl’s instructions. Pushing Hermione away from her she shot a spell at her cousin.”Look it’s little Siri trying to play with the adults.”

“I’m not surprised you would be here. This will finally give me the chance to prove once and for all I am better dueler.”Sirius said as he focused his attention on Bellatrix.

“You the better dueler.”Bellatrix cackled at the very thought. Firing another spell she began leading Sirius down a hallway.”I would beat you in a duel with my wand hand missing.”

Sirius growled.”You are all talk Bella.”

“I do like to talk.”Bellatrix had gotten Sirius far enough away from the fight that she could no longer hear it. It was then that Hermione appeared.

“Avada Kedavra!”Hermion called out behind Sirius. 

Bellatrix watched as Sirius’ body dropped to the floor.”You know killing him won’t get me my title back because he has an heir.”

“That is true however he never officially adopted him in a Black family blood ceremony.”Hermione held up her hand showing off the Black family Head of Household ring.

“How did you know that?”Bellatrix asked.

“We don’t have time for questions and answers. I need to you to torture me.”Hermione told her.

“What?”Bellatrix was very confused on what was going on.

“The only way anyone is going to believe that I killed Sirius by accident is if they think I was under duress. You need to injury me severely enough that it would make sense I wasn’t able to cast the killing curse on target because I was in so much pain. It will make it look like Sirius came to save me when he noticed you were leading me away from the fight.”Hermione explained.

“Alright.”Bellatrix wasn’t sure how comfortable she was hurting Hermione after all she had learned but couldn’t fault her reasoning.

Hermione walked a few feet behind Sirius’ body.”I need you to not hold back. I promise that I can take it but to make it believable I’m going to have to scream and yell.”

“Are you sure about this?”Bellatrix wanted to make sure Hermione was willing to go through with this.

“This is the only way for you to get your title back. Maybe not right away but once it’s safe you will be able to take your rightful place as Head of the House of Black as is your birthright.”Hermione told her.

“I guess I should be thanking you.”Bellatrix wasn’t completely sure what Hermione was getting out of all of this and was anxious to get to Narcissa so they could read Andromeda’s letter.

“No need to thank me. We are family and true Blacks stick together.”Hermione told her.”Now give me your worst.”

“Blacks do stick together.”Bellatrix kept that in mind as she unleashed curse after curse on Hermione. The girl had been right she could take a lot of pain as it was obvious to someone with as much experience in torturing people as Bellatrix had that Hermione was faking her anguish. It made Bellatrix wonder how Hermione had come to gain that skill. It made her uneasy thinking that the girl probably went though something horrible as even though they didn’t know each other that well Bellatrix had officially claimed Hermione. If Andromeda cared about her enough to go through the Black Family Blood ritual then Hermione was someone worth caring about. Add to the fact that Bellatrix firmly believed that Hermione killed Sirius so that she could get Bellatrix her Head of Household title made Bellatrix owe Hermione a debt. One she was fully prepared to repay. Hearing the voice of her Lord yelling for a retreat Bellatrix leaned down, gave Hermione a kiss on the forehead and left. She wasn’t looking forward to the punishment waiting for her but she would take it as it seemed that she may just have a way to get her and Narcissa out of the situation. That would make taking the abuse much easier.