Chapter 7
Cecilia's contribution to the order wasn't particularly challenging or overwhelming. Mainly she continued her normal everyday work at the ministry with the difference of being a lot more alert. Her position at the law enforcement compartment proved to be highly practical. She herself was no Auror and not out in the field a lot but still, various reports helped to create an image of death eater activity.
It was obvious that the Azkaban breakout had strengthened many former and new sympathizers of dark magic to become more radicalized and to join the Voldemort movement. In particular, the number of various hate crimes was rising rapidly. Small conflicts escalated way quicker these days, ending in violence.
All information Cecilia could gather from reading reports, talking with her colleagues she collected to bring to the next order meeting.
They were making progress, having their eyes and ears wherever they could. Even though Dumbledore was losing his position in Hogwarts the students still seemed to have their trust in him, opposing themselves against the witch the ministry had installed.
Additionally, the inner circle was refreshing their fighting and dueling skills. Without proper training it was clear that they wouldn't stand a chance against Voldemort's fighters. Despite having horrible ideologies most of them were known to be extremely skilled and certainly not playing by the rules. Cecilia still remembered the horrors from the first wizarding war, sometimes she would see three or more wizards and witches being defeated by a single death eater. They were running high on adrenaline and hatred, almost as if on drugs.
To be prepared when the time comes Cecilia joined the other members as often as she could when they were training. After years of not actively dueling, at first it was challenging to find her own rhythm again but quickly Cecilia remembered why she had loved it so much in her younger years. This state of alertness and the adrenaline made her filter out the unimportant things only allowing her to think of defeating her opponent. Slowly but surely she found back to her old skills, beating most of the other members.
Even though Cecilia was quite skeptical at the beginning she found that she liked spending time with the order, discussing plans with them and debating. She felt as if she was doing something to prevent the terrific catastrophe to come, rather than helplessly reading the daily prophet every morning. Besides, having more social connections made her feel good and lightened her mood.
Making her way to the weekly order meeting at Sirius’ old childhood home Cecilia caught herself thinking of her. Bellatrix Black.
Due to her new research, thoughts and memories of their youth together were rising up again. Having suppressed her emotions and the events, Cecilia now found it difficult to deal with. Sometimes it almost seemed as if Bellatrix’ voice was in her head, mocking her, reminding Cecilia that she would always be a part of her no matter how many years passed.
Sometimes it made her angry.
Angry that Bellatrix had so easily thrown away what they had, choosing her “Lord” over Cecilia. Mainly she couldn't understand it, he was a cruel man, if one could identify him as such, feeding her soul and mind with these sick mentalities, promising her power. And her smart Bellatrix fell right into his trap, she was obsessed with him and he knew that, he knew her character and how to manipulate her. It was undoubtedly clear that Voldemort had succeeded, he had stolen Bellatrix away from her, making her his most crazy, dangerous and loyal death eater to exist.
Cecilia knew that she should be appalled, Bellatrix was a cruel nightmare, alone what she did to the Longbottoms showed how sick in the head the witch had become. But still Cecilia found herself observing the Lestrange, looking for some kind of sign, an explanation of how Bellatrix could have changed so much.
After all these years Cecilia still mourned the witch she used to love so deeply.
Nympadora Tonks snapped her out of her thoughts by giving her a warm hug as she arrived at Grimmauld place. Cecilia had grown very fond of the younger witch, appreciating her positive attitude even when discussing the most depressing topics.
“ My dear friends, as you may have already read in the papers the situation in Hogwarts has escalated.”, Sirius began the meeting by discussing the most troubling news of the week.
“ With Dumbledore gone and this ridiculous Umbridge as headmaster it has obviously become far more difficult to get reliable information of the state in which Hogwarts is in. Luckily, Umridge’s fantasy of sending Dumbledore to Hogwarts has failed utterly and he managed to escape. We are already in contact with him but it is now more crucial than ever that Dumbledore keeps a low profile so we cannot rely on him right now to provide us with information.”
The event in Hogwarts had caused major turmoil among the wizarding population. The opinions were split, many were angered about the change as Dumbledore is considered an extremely powerful wizard, ensuring some kind of protection against Voldemort. But there were also wizards and witches who were of the opinion that Dumbledore’s time had come, they were not a fan of his politics and the way he runned Hogwarts.
Cecilia herself wouln’t see herself as the biggest Dumbledore sympathizer but it was undeniable that he was a good Headmaster, protecting Hogwarts and keeping it a safe place for the Students.
The meeting continued as normal. The members contributed their gathered information to paint a picture of the current state the wizarding world was in.
The escaped death eaters had gone into hiding. Aurors, among them also Nympadoras mentor Moody, were actively looking for them but still had no indication of their whereabouts.
Both Andromeda and Cecilia had assumed that Bellatrix could be living in the Malfoy mansion with Narcissa. Despite her insanity it was very likely that Bellatrix still cared a lot about the remaining sister she had, still somewhat protective over her little sister.
But even with evidence it would be nearly impossible to search Malfoy manor, Lucius had a high status in the ministry and more importantly, many friends.
Overall the wizarding world seemed to be in some kind of calm before the storm. Alliances were forming, Voldemort gathering more and more followers, small incidents here and there. The people knew that something was coming and they were afraid, afraid of a second war, of losing their loved ones. With the most lethal death eaters on the loose, only few were believing the ministry's claims.
After everyone was up to date and had agreed on their proceedings it was time for tea to lighten the mood a bit. Cecilia offered to prepare the tea, along with Andromeda.
Over the last months they had reconnected and Cecilia was incredibly glad to have her back as a friend again.
“It's not looking good for us right now, right?”, said Andromeda in the kitchen.
Cecilia faced her friend, noticing her worried expression. Despite wanting to soothe her she couldn't find the words, after all Andromeda was right. They both knew how terrifying another war would be, how many lives would be lost. Cecilia could only offer a hug, holding her friend.
“I have so much to lose this time. My daughter, Ted, you. I built this life from scratch, free from my parents. I’m scared Celia.”
Whispering in her ear Cecilia could feel Andromeda's pain, the terror. She knew how hard she had to work to rebuild her life after being disowned by her parents. Despite growing up in an abusive household they had still been her family. But what had hurt the most was leaving her sisters behind, they had grown up in hell together, had stuck together always.
“The war’s not here yet, we’re gonna be alright, i promise you.”, it was an empty promise but after all hope was better than nothing.
At the table Cecilia joined Andromeda and Sirius in their conversation. SIrius was as so often, talking about his godson and how good of a wizard he was becoming. He had just recently rebelled against Umbridge and had created Dumbledore's Army, which was ultimately also the reason why the Headmaster had to flee. Sirius was extremely proud of him, praising his courage.
“But who even snitched?”, asked Cecilia, not knowing the full details.
Sirius huffed, “Apparently it was some girl from within and of course the spoiled Malfoy brat runned straight to Umbridge.”
“Hey, we’re still talking about my sister's son here, watch your language”, reminded him Andromeda half jokingly.
“Yes she may be your sister but she chose her people. You know their ideologies better than anyone. Maybe not Narcissa but you know as well as I that her husband, apparently now also her son and your dear older sister would torture and kill people like Ted on the spot. At least you think for yourself and realize what is right.”, in Sirius’ voice there was a bitter undertone to be noticed.
“We all know our family's history, but they're still my sisters and they always will be. We survived our parents together and yes i agree they are bad people but it's also due to their environment. We both could easily be on their side now, be like them, just because we did the right thing doesn't make it easy. I mean you knew Regulus, he was not an evil child and don't tell me you don't still love him.”
Sirius lowered his gaze at Andromeda's words, seeming tired at the discussion of the Black family.
“It’s always hard to see people change into something so cruel, especially when we have an emotional connection with them. It may be hard to believe but Bellatrix was the best person by my side for some time, maybe you remember during the first war it broke me to see her choosing her side. It's always easier to despise them and talk bad about them, Sirius, I know but it won’t help us. It’ll only turn us bitter.”, said Cecilia softly.
She catches Andromeda's gaze and for the first time in many years she felt understood, these two people had to live with the same confusing emotions as her, hoping to forget the past.