Sacred

Bellatrix flounced down the corridor. A small Gryffindor student – probably a first year – tripped over his feet as he stumbled against the wall in his haste to get out of her way. She smirked as she past him, flicking her wand under her arm and the boy yelped as the hex hit him square in the arm. She didn’t need to look to know the skin would be bubbling with painful pustules. Ignoring the whimpers of pain from behind her, she continued on her way until she reached the door to the Transfiguration room where she’d be serving “detention” with Professor McGonagall.

She swung open the door, letting it slam the wall behind her. Minerva glared at her before windlessly shutting the door.

“Must you insist on destroying everything you touch, Bellatrix?” She asked. Bellatrix shrugged.

“There are enchantments to protect your doors and walls from such displays,” She said. Minerva fixed her with a steely gaze.

“I have never had a need,” She replied dryly. Bellatrix did not deign to respond, and instead took a seat at the front of the classroom, propping her feet on the desk. Minerva sighed at the blatant disrespect but did not chastise her. Bellatrix frowned.

“You don’t have good news,” She said suddenly, pulling her feet off the desk.

“I have some,” Minerva said slowly. “According to Septimus, the widely accepted theory is that Sirius Black was the one to make the call against the families.” Bellatrix snorted.

“As if he’d ever have the guts,” She snapped.

“Would you rather them be suspecting you?” She asked incredulously. “I’d have thought you’d be happy about that.” Bellatrix rolled her eyes.

“No one actually believes it was him. He’s the scapegoat, obviously. No one would ever want to admit that one of their own would willingly betray their family. Until someone actually comes forward they will vilify him to save their own skins. But yes, I am more than happy to let him take the fall for me.” Minerva pointedly ignored Bellatrix’s casual dismissal of her cousin. “Was there anything else? Or just the obvious.” Minerva flicked her wand. Two goblets floated towards them, one landing on her desk and one landing on the table Bellatrix was leaning over.

“There has been some progression in the case.” She said gravely. “Apparently, there was a case similar to this a great many years ago. A young girl, thirteen years old was arrested for murdering a muggleborn. She alleged it was due to her parents placing her under the imperius curse.” Minerva picked up the goblet, drinking deeply from it. Bellatrix’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“What happened?” She breathed. Minerva gripped the goblet tighter in her hand.

“The Laws of Olde held.”

For a moment, Bellatrix did not speak. She did not blink, she did not even breathe. Minerva held her gaze, staring into the eyes so dark it was like staring into a pair of black holes.

“The laws will hold.”

Minerva was not sure what she expected. Screaming, perhaps. Maybe some tears, a waver in the voice, even. But Bellatrix was flat. Unfazed.

“Bella, we will not stop fighting,”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“We’ve already appealed the court, it’s been centuries since that case even happened,”

“It doesn’t matter. »

“I promise you, Bella I will continue to fight –“

“It doesn’t matter!”

The wooden cabinet behind Minerva splintered and cracked against the explosion of magic that erupted from Bellatrix.

“It doesn’t matter.” As quickly as it had come, the rage dissipated, giving way to a nothingness that was somehow more terrifying. “When is the hearing?” Minerva swallowed thickly.

“Next week,” She said softly. Bellatrix snorted.

“Figures. They’d want this over and done with before the holidays. Christmas is a lovely time for matchmaking.”

“Bella, there is still a chance. We’ll continue to fight this, but if we could just get some of the children to stand up, to testify against their parents and to share their experiences.. you don’t know what difference that will make!” Bellatrix shook her head.

“You don’t understand. Pietas super omnia. Loyalty above all. It’s ingrained into us from the moment we’re born. Without loyalty, the Sacred Twenty Eight is nothing. Without loyalty, our families are nothing. No one will speak, Professor.” Minerva stared at the girl.

“You did,” Bellatrix smiled a small, uncharacteristically soft smile.

“Yes but I’ve always been exceptional.” Minerva chuckled sadly. “There’s nothing more you can do for us, Minerva. The Sacred Twenty Eight has been and will remain to be untouchable.”

“What will you do?” Minerva asked. “If things go.. the way you seem to believe they’ll go. What will you do?” Bellatrix sighed.

“They won’t pull me out of school now,” She said after a moment. “It’s not a good look. I’ll finish the year, and I presume that Rodolphus and I will be married by the end of the summer. My mother fancies a summer wedding, and I assume something as trivial as losing custody of her children wouldn’t have stopped the planning.”

“And your sisters?” Emotion shuttered across Bellatrix’s face.

“Narcissa will go to Lucius.” She said with finality.

“Malfoy?”

“He’s a good man, even if he is a bit of a pompous twit. He’ll take care of her. And the Malfoys are good stock.” Minerva nodded.

“And what of Andromeda?” Bellatrix pursed her lips.

“Regulus probably. To keep the line pure. There is security within the Black name, and with Sirius being disowned they will not risk sullying the line with an outsider. Andromeda will be cared for,” She added, as though it were an afterthought.

“And you’re satisfied with that?” She peered at the girl shrewdly, willing her to fight back. “You’re prepared to give up? To just accept the life your parents have laid out for you?” Bellatrix glared at her.

“There is nothing left to fight! They’ve won, Professor. They have a prior case to go on and the security of knowing none of their children will be bold enough to stand against them.” Minerva stood up suddenly and grabbed Bellatrix by the wrists.

“You can stand up,” She pleaded, desperation drowning every word. “You can stand up to them, Bella please! Don’t give up now, you’ve already done so much.”

For a moment, for a brief, shining moment Minerva could see the spark in Bellatrix’s eye, could see the longing for freedom she knew roiled just under the surface.

But as quickly as she’d seen it, it disappeared once again. Bellatrix wrenched her arms away from Minerva, folding them against her chest as she turned away from the woman.

“I have done everything I can. My parents are more than formidable, they are unstoppable. Any of our families our unstoppable! To speak out publicly would be a gamble, and I am not willing to sacrifice my life on a minute chance that it may inspire others to follow suit. So yes, to answer your question I will be satisfied knowing that my sisters and I are secured and cared for. There is nothing more for me to do.” She spun on her heel and stalked out of the room, not bothering to prevent the door from slamming hard enough to rattle the portraits.

Minerva sunk down into her chair and buried her face in her hands.

“She’s not incorrect, you know.” Minerva glared at the headmaster’s portrait.

“This does not concern you, Phineas.” The former headmaster leaned against the frame of his portrait.

“Doesn’t it? It is my family, after all. It seems that it concerns me marginally more than it concerns you.” Minerva clenched her fists, teeth grinding painfully as she spun on the ornate portrait.

“I would have to disagree, Phineas, considering the children are in my custody and you are dead!” Phineas scowled, folding his arms.

“It is not considered good decorum to bring up one’s death, Minerva.” He harrumphed, but she did not respond. She rubbed her eyes wearily. There had to be something she could do.