Imaginary Friend

Intentional Magic

Bella kept her eyes closed. She had done what needed to be done; it was over. She felt the soft material of a sofa against her naked shoulders, smelled the faint stink of smoke and alcohol in the air and heard the numbing silence - all of which where telltale signs as to where she was. She grudgingly opened her eyes and pushed off the blanket that had been draped over her.

She stood up, stumbling a bit. She glanced at the grand clock that was hanging on a wall further down the hall and found that she had been ‘sleeping’ for barely two hours. Bella waved her wand and removed the privacy and warning charms she had hastily set up before letting herself succumb to the irresistible call of magical dreams. She smoothed her dress to make herself a bit more presentable and decided that it was due time for her to leave.

The original graduation ball had been held at Hogwarts Great Hall and hadn’t been anything worthy of notice. It had been a feast – similar to all others that had been held there. The Blacks had felt that their firstborn daughter deserved far more grandeur than what the school offered to mark such an event in her life and had thrown a party of their own. A week after the original graduation all Hogwarts alumni of said year were invited to attend a ball that was held in the Grand Wizarding Opera which was situated somewhere on the island of South Uist.

Muggleborns, especially, had been awed by the place of the event. It was likely that most of them will never visit this place again. Grand Wizarding Opera is a wizarding architecture masterpiece built in mid 17th century and deeply influenced by the Baroque style. The tickets to the performances are very expensive and the expected attire costs even more. To put it simply - Wizarding Opera was a place where the cream of Europe’s wizarding society circulated.

To be frank, Bella thought that the place was borderline gaudy but that was expected considering that the ownership of the place was divided between the Malfoy, the Black and the Montague Families.

The party had lasted until wee hours of morning when most of the public had already retired which meant they had either disgracefully passed out from too much wine or had found some furniture that could be used for sleeping and less disgracefully passed out on that. The musicians had remained in their respective places but had abandoned playing their instruments to playing cards. Bella thought it to be highly unprofessional although understandable. Inviting everyone hadn’t been a very bright idea even if politically correct.

She made her way down the hall, her steps quiet against the polished marble floor. Bella was about to step in the Entrance Hall when she heard commotion in it. She stopped. Something about the situation made her uneasy and she had long since realized that there was no such thing as unhealthy paranoia in the wizarding world. She stood out of sight and listened.

“Ennervate,” the speaker’s voice was cold, impatient and laced with power. “Where is Bellatrix Black?” there was only one wizard whose voice commanded such authority and who would look for her so soon after becoming ‘fully-trained’ and free of allegiances.

She couldn’t clearly hear the answer; it was some unintelligible, drunken murmuring. There was a thump and cursing. Apparently the questioner hadn’t understood anything either. She heard steps coming closer.

Bella acted quickly. She couldn’t avoid the meeting, but there were many possible ways for it to go down. She pulled pins from her hair and tousled them. She also crumpled her gown to make her look even more disheveled. Then she stepped a couple of steps back and fell down in a highly exaggerated manner.

She was attempting to pull herself up consciously tripping over her own extremities when he walked up to her and unceremoniously pulled her up. He kept firm grip on her elbow while looking her over. Strands of hair fell in front of her face and she made a faint attempt at blowing them off with her breath before pulling her lips in a wide grin. Bella saw the calculating gleam in his eye as he stared at her. She made a vague motion with her hand making a half-hearted attempt at fixing her hair and almost back-handed him, but he caught her hand before it connected with his jaw. She swayed and presented the man who called himself Lord Voldemort with the most drunken expression she could produce.

“This is not how I intended our first meeting to pass,” he murmured distaste evident in his tone. “I am Lord Voldemort,” he introduced himself his voice strong and commanding.

Bella suppressed the urge to shiver, if she were truly drunk, she believed that this voice could call her to sobriety. Magic sung in him, dark and vibrant it sung to her as well. There were so little of those who were so natural with magic nowadays that… She pushed at him and giggled, “Trixie!”

He steadied the drunken witch. He had expected that the witch who was Walburga’s heiress in all but direct blood would have the good sense to not get drunk in a party. “Pleasure,” he spat before releasing her and distancing himself. He had already wasted too much of his precious time. He couldn’t recruit a drunken witch. Binding magic required clear mind and control neither of which the witch possessed at the moment, obviously.

As soon as he let her go, Bella fell back to floor pretending to be unable to keep her own footing. “Ow,” she moaned.

There was no reason for him to stay; it was obvious that there would be no sensible talking with any of this mass of drunken fools. “We will meet again,” he said his tone full of conviction. He left as quickly as he had arrived.

Bella waited until she heard the entrance door closing before she moved again. This time her movements were graceful and efficient, she stood without trouble. She had little time. She didn’t doubt that Voldemort would seek her out again at the earliest convenience.

In another time and in another world she may have been thrilled at the prospect, however now all she felt was dread. Her independent nature rebelled at the thought of being branded and serving no matter how glorious the service may appear to be. However she couldn’t outright refuse Voldemort - not now. His power attracted her and that was a weakness she knew he would exploit. It was a vulnerability against which she had no defense. She had many paths to walk before she’d come into her own power and his would no longer tempt her. She had to disappear. She had to distance herself to buy time.

Dumbledore had never been an option – the man wouldn’t be able to hide her good enough and should she be offered to spy - she would double-cross him the minute she was with Voldemort. She had to disappear where no wizard would find her and her father had long ago provided her with an option. The muggle world.

Bella didn’t sigh and she didn’t bemoan the turn of events – she had no time for that. She had known that everything was about to change.

BBBW

An hour after the sun had risen in the sky Bruce wrote a short note to Alfred and left it at the butler’s door before taking a random car from the garage and driving off. He had no destination. He just wanted to be on the move, to do something.

He turned to the highway and pushed the gas pedal. He was angry. Because this wasn’t fair. He was upset. Because there was nothing he could do. He was afraid. Because he didn’t know what to do. He was mourning. Because he would never see her again. He exceeded the speed limit and let go of the wheel in a conscious effort to challenge the fate. The road was empty and the car ran straight and true until he grasped the wheel again and turned off the highway.

He drove around aimlessly all day. He didn’t find what he had been looking for because she hadn’t been real and she was gone. By the time he was back at the Wayne manor, he was tired, although still restless.

He went straight to the kitchen feeling a strong need for a cup of Alfred’s favorite tea. He was already sitting at the table and slowly sipping the hot liquid when Alfred walked in.

“Had a good day, Master Bruce?” Alfred asked. “Dinner?”

Small smile graced Bruce’s face. Alfred never directly demanded an answer as to where Bruce had been and what he had done. Bruce could appreciate that. “No, thank you.”

“Very well,” Alfred said although it did look like he suspected that something had happened. He turned around to make something for himself; he for one did want to eat.

“Alfred,” Bruce spoke up. His gaze was fixed on the mug and his tone had a far-away quality. “I lost my best friend today,” he was trembling and his eyes were red.

Alfred turned to look at the boy he had been entrusted with. “Something happened to Miss Rachel?”

“No, Alfred,” Bruce shook his head. “Rachel’s fine.” He lifted his gaze to look at his mentor, “A different friend.” He wiped his dry eyes with the back of his hand. “Another…”

“I shall make another pot of that tea, then,” Alfred said. He didn’t know what had happened to his charge and he supposed he might never know, but that didn’t stop him from being there and offering support. Just like he had done every day since young Master Bruce had been brought home from hospital.

BBBW

Once she was at home, Bella went straight to her father’s study. It was early but she knew that he would be there. He claimed he liked to do a little work in the mornings while there still was some peace and quiet in the manor. She didn’t knock before opening the door.

Cygnus looked up from the contract he had been reading to the unexpected guest. Nobody in the family bothered to knock; sometimes he wondered whether it really hadn’t been a waste of money – the continuous installing of new doors during Druella’s first pregnancy, it wasn’t like they were allowed to serve their purpose.

“Good morning, Bellatrix,” he warily greeted his daughter.

Bella didn’t answer right away. At first she poured a double portion of whiskey and placed the glass in front of her father, only then she spoke, “Morning, father.” She seated herself in a seat across of him.

Cygnus eyed the drink. “Somebody burned the Opera to the ground?”

“Voldemort came looking for me,” Bella said her tone flat.

“And…,” Cygnus paused. “Did he find you?”

“Yes,” Bella said her tone somewhat resigned. “I was on my way to the entrance hall when I heard commotion in it. I stopped to listen – I had never heard him before but there was no mistaking it,” she paused and turned her gaze to the window. “He has such power.”

“What happened?” Cygnus snapped to shake her out of her contemplation.

Bella looked at her father. “I pretended to be drunk,” she stated. “He bought the act and left with a promise to return.”

Cygnus downed his drink in one swig and two gulps. “Good,” he said.

BBBW

Cygnus had been wary ever since the talk about a new Dark Lord who favored purebloods and the Old Ways had started. He clearly remembered Mynatt’s words about the dark path that lay in front of his daughter and all the things associated with it. A sect under control of a powerful wizard bent on purging everything that wasn’t Traditional screamed ‘danger’ to Cygnus.

Cygnus knew that his cousin’s son wasn’t cut to be the Black Family Head. The more the boy turned to his Gryffindor friends the more Walburga hinted at the fact that Bella was third in line for the title of the Head of the Family. Although Walburga had another son Cygnus knew as well as his cousin that Regulus was easily influenced and that even if he had the title, the power would be Bella’s. And it came without saying that a wizard who was gathering the Dark Great Families behind him would sooner or later come to the Blacks and to the one who held the power.

In order to protect his daughter Cygnus had put plans in motion even before her birth. He had done everything in his power to raise her differently from the way he had been raised. He didn’t teach her to hate things that were different from traditional, he taught her to either embrace or endure a change. He taught her to strive in difficult circumstances. He introduced her to the muggle world. He taught her what it meant to be a Black and showed her who everyone else was. He raised her strong and independent.

When the distant threat in form of Lord Voldemort arose Cygnus started to wage his own secret war against the other wizard. A war for his daughter’s future. A war Cygnus was not disposed to lose. Cygnus organized summer schools for Bella in the muggle world. He provided her with all the knowledge she might need to successfully disappear among the muggles should the need be.

Now when Voldemort finally knocked on Cygnus’ metaphorical door, Cygnus was ready. He had all the documentation needed to prove Bella’s identity and any required past achievements to successfully hide her among muggles. Cygnus had bought her time and opportunity. He had done everything he could have and given her everything she needed – now it was up to her to make most of it. His part in this chess game was over.

When he handed her the papers, he said, “With graduation, daughter.”

BBBW

The same day – evening…

Bella stopped on the other side of the gate which marked the end of the anti-apparation wards. She eyed her father who was leaning against the gatepost and smoking. She had never seen her father smoke before.

“The credit card I gave you,” he started. “Use it. The money won’t be traced back to the Family,” he said.

Bella pulled the small plastic card from her pocket and turned it in her fingers. “Rosier Limited?”

“Yes. Whatever wasn’t put back into the company went there. I’ve never used it,” he said putting out his cigar. “It’s all yours,” Cygnus said seriously. “As is Rosier Limited once you are ready to take it.”

Bella looked her father in the eye. She nodded after a moment. “Not yet though,” she finally said.

“Not yet,” he agreed. “Visit sometime,” he added before turning and walking back to the house.

Bella took one last look at the plastic card before putting it back into her pocket. She didn’t look back at the manor, she apparated with a small pop to a muggle airport.

BBBW

2 years and three months later…

Adrian heard the door open and looked up. “Bella!” he called out instantly recognizing his visitor. “Please, sit!” he gestured to the seat across him. “It’s been a long time since I last saw you,” he said.

“About three years to be exact,” Bella took the offered seat.

“Tea, coffee?” he asked pushing a button to call his secretary. Speaking of his secretary, how did… “How did you get past Amy?”

Bella smiled a small smile. “Magic,” she said. “And I’ll take coffee.”

Adrian returned the smile and asked for two coffees. “I met your father a couple of months ago. He doesn’t come here as often as he used to.”

Bella blinked. “I wasn’t aware.”

Their conversation was interrupted by opening of the door. Amy stepped in bringing their coffees along. She blinked upon seeing Bella – she hadn’t noticed anybody walking in – but didn’t say anything. Amy didn’t recognize her previous charge. She placed the cups and the sugar-basin on the desk and excused herself.

Once the door was closed, Adrian spoke, “You wouldn’t be.” He put two lumps of sugar in his coffee and mixed it with an elaborate silver teaspoon. “He comes only to visit me and ask whether you have popped in recently,” his tone was plain. “I hear that it’s been a year since you last gave notice of yourself.”

Bella frowned. “I have my reasons,” she said her tone borderline polite.

Adrian looked hard at her. He sighed. “Drink your coffee while it’s still warm,” he finally said.

“What do you mean by ‘only to visit me’?” she asked staring at him. She remembered that her father had been very active in the work of the company.

“You do know that the company officially belongs to you?”

Bella racked through her memory until she came across the memory of the evening when she left the manor. She slowly shook her head and her lips formed into a small smile. “I suppose I should have.”

Adrian huffed. “Well, it’s been yours since you turned seventeen,” he said. “Any changes you’d like to make?” his tone was somewhat teasing.

Bella shook her head lightly and took a sip of the coffee. She frowned. “It’s actually good.”

“Of course it is,” Adrian assured. “It’s our coffee, after all.”

“Funny,” she said a moment later. “The reason I came here was to ask if I could do my field practice in Rosier Limited.”

“The playground’s all yours,” Adrian replied.

BBBW

2 years later…

Bruce was staring out of the window of his private plane and distinctly wishing that he had boarded a public airplane. Maybe the chatter of surrounding people would drown his own thoughts.

He couldn’t wholeheartedly believe that they were going to let his parents’ murderer walk away. He just couldn’t understand it. What could possibly justify the man even before their corrupt courts to let him go? In his eyes there was nothing that could do that. Bruce thought that the man should have received death penalty fifteen years ago.

His thoughts turned towards the gun lying in his suitcase. He didn’t want to shoot the man, not really. Bruce just wanted him dead and if nobody else was going to do it then he would. He believed that his parents deserved justice. In the ancient times there had been a law ‘eye for an eye’, it was a pity that Joe Chill couldn’t die two times.

If the courts wouldn’t give him justice, he would bring it upon them. He needed to know that the man who had destroyed his life would not walk free on the streets ever again. He wasn’t a murderer but he needed revenge. He deserved his revenge and his parents deserved justice. Bruce was going to make sure that he and his family got satisfaction for the crime committed against them. One way or another.

BBBW

A year later…

Bella shifted through the documents that were on her table. It had been few months since she had taken control of the Rosier Limited – she had kept Adrian as the general director, of course. That didn’t mean she had nothing to do. Adrian had helpfully supplied her with a load of projects to approve or cast away.

She took a sip from her coffee and opened a new file. She almost spit it all out. It was a theoretical project about a probable collaboration with Wayne Enterprises. She stared at the page.

It had been more than five years since she had cut all connections with Bruce Wayne. She had deliberately looked away from Wayne Enterprises while studying economics focusing all her efforts and required research to her own company or those from the continent. It had been all too easy to make herself oblivious.

Bella had never doubted her decision to end their friendship all those years ago. But that was then and now… Now she was safe and comfortable and she had a legitimate reason to be interested. She had never forgotten. Absent-mindedly she made a call to her secretary telling her to book first possible flight to Gotham City.

The preparation of one of her private planes and collaboration of a flight plan with the appropriate institutions would take too much time. She would have to take a commercial flight.

BBBW

Nine hours later…

Bellatrix Black does not do stupid things. Hence her impromptu flight to Gotham City was perfectly reasonable and sensible. Showing up at the front door of a boy who thought her to be as good as dead was excusable as well - mainly because she was doing the 'showing up'. Not calling made the most sense because she did not know the number and had no patience to look for it.

She took a taxi from the airport to the Wayne manor. The drive wasn't entirely pleasant as she found the car to be too worn down and noisy not to mention that the manor apparently was located on the other side of the metropolis. She was glad that she had taken a pepper up potion after the entirely too long eight hour flight. Bella swore that this was the penultimate time she used such means to travel so far.

The car pulled up by the front door of the manor and her previously deeply annoyed expression changed into a light smile. Childhood memories are of the best kind and she had a lot of them about this place. She paid for the fare and got out of the car telling the driver not to wait. Under no circumstances she was going to subject herself to the torture that was a taxi ever again.

She stood for a minute and gazed at the house. It hadn't changed. Bella walked up to the door and rang the bell.

It wasn't long until the doors opened. "How may I help you?"

Bella couldn't refrain from smiling. She recognized the grey haired man all too well - it was Alfred and it seemed he hadn't changed at all. She was silent for a moment.

"I'd like to speak with Bruce Wayne," she said slowly. It felt strange to pronounce the name of her old time friend to another person. She had never talked about her 'dreams' to anyone.

Alfred frowned and stepped aside. "Come in, Miss."

Bella stepped in and cast a cursory glance around. The white sheets on items were rather disturbing but otherwise the place was similar to what she remembered. She turned her questioning gaze to the butler.

"You don't know do you?" Alfred asked carefully watching the guest's reaction.

"Know what, Alfred?" she questioned back. Alfred had her respect for unfailingly being at her friend's side even when she wouldn't.

"Bruce Wayne has been missing for more than a year," he said.

Breath caught up in her throat. She felt her heart missing a beat. A wry smile settled on her face. "Figures," she whispered.

"Is there anything else you'd like? Tea, perhaps?" Alfred asked. Nobody had ever came asking for Bruce in such a manner and he was intrigued as to who his guest was, what connection did she have with his charge and how come she didn't know that Bruce had gone missing after all – Bruce Wayne was … Bruce Wayne. It was curiosity that made him extend the offer to her.

Bella frowned and thought for a moment. Her gaze once again traveled the hall. "I'd like to see the grounds from a second floor window in the east wing," she asked.

Only when she left Alfred realized that she hadn't called for a car to pick her up, that she had called him by his name and never told her own.

BBBW

A year and five months later…

He was late. The meeting of the Order of the Phoenix was already half-way done but he supposed that they had to be thankful - not that they'd be - that he made it there at all. He stepped into the large dining room interrupting a discussion that was getting rather heated.

"Ahhh, Severus," Dumbledore said. "I'm glad you made it."

"I have news," he said shortly and sat down in an empty seat by the end of the table.

"And do we have to drag them out of you?" Sirius snapped annoyed at the suspense.

He glared at Sirius. A retort was already on the tip of his tongue, but he stopped himself in the last possible moment and smiled coldly at his childhood rival. “I presume you remember your uncle Cygnus Black,” he said.

“Yeah,” Sirius replied. “He and his family were the only ones I actually liked among the Blacks,” he said for the benefit of others. A frown settled on his face. “What of it?”

“The death eaters know where to look for Bellatrix Black,” Severus said calmly.

Sirius stopped swinging on his chair and his expression turned serious. James looked at his friend in concern while Lily tugged at James’ arm asking what was the matter. The noise level rose rapidly at the table as most were confused about the importance of the news. Finally, Dumbledore snapped his wand creating a loud crack which shocked everyone into silence.

“James, would you care to explain the significance of this to the others?” Dumbledore asked politely.

James looked questioningly at Dumbledore but received only an encouraging nod. He took a moment to compose himself and then started to talk, “Not many know of this but Sirius’ mother disowned him when he turned sixteen. This means that the head of the family became his brother – Regulus.”

James paused and took a look at Sirius. His friend made no move to indicate a wish to take over the story so James continued, “But being a Head of the Black family is more than just a formality or a title. The thing is that Regulus lacks the will and strength to back him up which means that while he has title; the power is… Well, the power goes to the next one in line who happens to be Bellatrix. Who happens to have been missing for past six years.”

Dumbledore exploited the pause and took over the tale, “Last anybody saw or heard of her was at the wizarding Opera House where Cygnus Black organized a graduation party for her.” Nothing in Dumbledore’s posture indicated as to what he thought of Cygnus’ audacity to throw another graduation for his alumni.

“I don’t understand,” cried a man from somewhere by the end of the table. “Why should we care? They’re all dark anyway!”

“The family hasn’t sided with anybody!” Sirius spat. Despite his obvious distaste to his parents and most of his family; he could not help but feel protective of its name if only on the behalf of his uncle.

“Indeed,” Dumbledore said placatingly. “Regulus is indecisive and I suspect that his uncle encourages that and as long as the next one in line doesn’t step in and make the decision for all Blacks – Voldemort lacks the support of one of the most influential pureblood families.”

Silence settled around the table as people pondered over the information they had been given.

“Severus, do you know where to find Miss Black?” Dumbledore asked.

“No, all I heard was that Lucius boasted that his wife had finally told him the alias her sister uses in the wizarding world.”

Sirius snarled at that piece of news and stood abruptly before exiting the room. James followed him seconds later.

BBBW

Almost a year later…

Bella resisted the urge to quicken her pace. The sound of distant steps mirroring her own had alerted her of her followers ever since she had stepped out of Apothecary. The only one who could have passed on the word that she was there was the chemist himself. Well, she’ll make sure to pay him a personal visit later – she had never liked the slimy git anyway.

She took a sharp turn into a shadier street and suddenly felt warm – as if she was being targeted with a wand. Bella took a sudden step aside and turned around while drawing out her wand and already casting a curse.

A spell missed her by an inch.

What followed was an intense display of magic and heavy exchange of curses. She kept backing away thinking that with distance the aim of her attackers would be poorer and hoping to finally reach the apparation platform that was her target originally. The anti-apparation wards of Diagon-Alley while no gift from the gods were not something she could carelessly break through in the middle of a battle for her life or… Bella conjured a solid shield of stone and took a step back – none of the spells aimed at her were lethal. Painful, unlawful, morally wrong and et cetera but not lethal. Damn. They wanted her alive.

Bella made a slashing move with her wand. She had abandoned wizarding world – for a time at least, but she had never stopped practicing her talents although half-dozen of opponents was a first for her which is why she wanted to reach the damn platform. Where in the Hades was it?

Suddenly there were loud cracks of apparation just behind her. Saying ‘damn’ would be saying nothing at all. She conjured another shield and with a curse on her lips turned to face the newcomers.

She came face to face with her cousin. He grabbed her wrist redirecting her curse at the last second while aiming another one over her head at her attackers with his own wand.

“Bellatrix…,”

She didn’t give him a chance to speak. She kicked him in the gut with her knee, used her weight to turn them around and finally pushed him away from her, all in the matter of a couple of seconds. Bella had no sound reasoning, at the moment she was still working in the mode where she relied just on her instincts and she knew she had no allies in the wizarding world.

She leaped on the Apparation platform and Apparated away.

Sirius jumped trying to make a grab for his cousin and fell into crevice in the matter created by Bella’s apparation. He unwittingly tagged along her.

He had to shield his eyes in the sudden light. It took him a few precious moments to realize where he was. He was on a roof of a tall building and the scenery reminded him of London.

“Bellatrix!” he called out. It was highly unlikely that she had stayed and was here to hear him but he had to try. “Bellatrix!”

“What do you want?” her voice seemed to echo around him giving no clue as to where was the source of the sound. Sirius didn’t know that spell, but supposed that it could have been useful when he was still at school.

“I need to talk to you,” he said honestly.

BBBW

Fifteen minutes later in a small café…

“Well,” she urged. “You have my attention,” she said leaning comfortably into the chair.

Sirius swallowed. Less than half-hour ago a spy of theirs had informed them about an attack on his cousin. Last quarter of an hour he had spent convincing said cousin – whom he didn’t know very well, to tell the truth – that she had to listen to him. And now he was sitting in a small, cozy restaurant with her and she had such an air of comfort around her that that was a bit disconcerting to him.

“I know why you left the wizarding world,” he said finally.

“You think, you do,” she responded with a smirk on her face.

Sirius frowned. “You don’t want to join Voldemort,” he stated.

He was fully aware that he was pressing his luck, but on the other hand – she was a Black and he couldn’t talk to her like he talked to all the other people he came in contact with. They both were from an ancient Family and he was the disowned heir while she was considered de facto heiress – it was a whole new level of conversation.

Bella frowned. “Neither the Ministry nor Dumbledore and his therapy group,” she said in flat tone.

“If the Muhammad won’t go to the Mountain, Voldemort will go to the Muhammad,” Sirius misquoted.

“What do you want from me?” she asked a moment later. Her gaze was speculative.

“Narcissa betrayed you,” he told her avoiding the question. She was still not interested enough for him to make his offer.

Anger and suspicion briefly flared in her dark eyes giving her face an expression of carefully controlled fury. “Why should I believe you?”

“Who else could have?” Sirius replied. “Andromeda is in school while Narcissa has been married to Lucius Malfoy for almost two years now.”

Bella was silent for a while before slowly nodding. “I understand what you are trying to tell me with this all. What I want to know is – why are you bothering? What makes you think I’d go with you?”

“I’m offended,” he said with a smile. “Can’t I give a warning to my favorite cousin?” he settled more comfortably in his chair.

She stared hard at him.

“Fine,” he said sitting up straighter. “For the War to end the Wizarding World needs the Black Family to side. It needs you to side,” Sirius said earnestly.

“I will not submit,” Bella said firmly.

“We figured that,” he said. There was a small smile on his face. “But would you agree to cooperate?”

“I might think about it.”

“We have an offer for you then,” he said with a grin.

Bella regarded him cautiously before her lips curled into challenging smile. “I’m listening.”

“When the time comes - your choosing of allies,” he used the wording carefully, “would have to be convincing and public. And the best way to make it public would be for you to be a public figure.

Say, cousin-dear, how would you like to be the Minister for Magic?”

“Being a marionette Minister so that I could ease the road for illegal therapy group against Voldemort was never on my list of possible career paths,” she responded swiftly and harshly.

“It’s not like that!” Sirius protested. “When the current Minister will be brought down our world will need someone strong. Someone on the side - against Voldemort. You being de facto Head of the Black Family will only help to sway the public opinion in our favor as well as divide Voldemort’s ranks because if he was to be refused by a Family like yours…” he stopped to draw a breath.

“Bellatrix, of course, we would like for you to look through your fingers on couple of things if we help you to become a Minister but no one will order you or give you directions on how to proceed. Your decisions as a Minister would be only yours to make,” he said passionately. “Consider this,” he pleaded.

“Well, we’ll see that,” she said simply.

“So you’re agreeing?”

“I’m considering,” Bella replied standing up from the chair. She was about to turn to leave when she suddenly turned back to Sirius and said, “It still is your Family whether my aunt disowned you or not.

Consider that.”

BBBW

He was cold. He was so damn cold. But he kept going. It wasn’t really a hidden fire inside him that kept him going – it was something more like the concept of one leg in front of the other and so on for eternity. Mind over matter, so to speak.

He hadn’t forgotten what he had been looking for in the first place. He could never forget. He also felt no need for a path or companionship. He didn’t feel content however he was well where he was. However Bruce did want to achieve something. That part of the speech had spoken to him. So it was his own wish to achieve something and to prove himself to himself that drove him up this bloody mountain.

The winds were harsh and the climb was draining. His frozen fingers slipped on the rocks and ice alike and he found it less tiresome if he spared no thought to the movement of his legs.

The path he was on now steadily became steeper and rockier while remaining barely walkable. He was thankful for that because he didn’t think he could haul himself up another cliff today. He wrapped himself in his thin jacket which really was of little use against mountain winds and continued his journey.

He was freezing and tired. He walked as if in daze paying little attention to the surroundings or the path beneath him. His main goal was to keep on moving. Suddenly he stopped.

A few feet from him stood a painfully familiar figure. It had been years yet he’d recognize her anywhere and anytime. She stood with her side to him, few moments later she turned and with a soft smile on her face, she walked towards him and he was willing to make himself believe that she looked at him and not in the distance. Her image vanished within a step of him in a breath of wind. A mirage – nothing more.

He shook his head but couldn’t shake off the disappointment. He had let his mind wander too far if he was starting to see her. He took a deep breath and continued on the path.

BBBW

About two years later…

Bella smiled indulgently at the cheering crowd before her and waved slightly. It had been two beautiful years until it was time to ‘take it or leave it’ – and she took it. After her years in exile from the magical society she took them all in a stride and became the Minister for Magic.

She accepted the congratulations from people and waited for Dumbledore who was acting as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot to finish his speech so that she could give one of her own.

She hadn’t taken the decision lightly. And she had placed a condition – that she would be free to pass the job to her cousin as soon as the war ended. Bella would see the society of her birth through this conflict – she would lead them and protect that who needed her protection but that was it. She had stated firmly that she will write a resignation as soon as the war was over.

She didn’t want anything to do with the reconstruction and even less to be a permanent factor in the wizarding politics. Bella knew the wizards better than they would have thought. The war about blood purity might come to an end but soon a new conflict would arise – there always would be something to fight over. Bella wanted her life for herself – she refused to sacrifice her life in exchange for a fickle position in wizarding politics. Her station in wizarding world was guaranteed as a birth right and her position in muggle world was high and influential because of her wealth – she could live easily in either society. Bella had a part to play in the War because of said birth right and she had chosen the terms on which to participate, but there was nothing that could stop her from leaving once it was over.

Why should she be the immovable object against the overwhelming force that was wizarding politics? Let her idealist of a cousin and his friends waste their lives in an unnecessary struggle.

To tell the truth – Bella was strongly convinced that the wizarding society was in a bad need of a dictator however the only one who offered to do the job was Voldemort and well, they were better off without him. Bella herself didn’t think that the guiding of sheep was a job for her – she had never considered being a shepherd and wasn’t about to begin.

‘Just few years, until the end of the war…,’ she thought stepping forward to make her speech now that Dumbledore was finished. ‘So that my name would never be forgotten. Just in case.’

BBBW

Two years and a month later…

Bella had long since discovered television and now - after a long and hard day at the Ministry she was at her spacious apartment in London and resting in an expensive leather couch in front of it. She turned on the news channel and nearly dropped the control. It was all over the international news channel – Bruce Wayne who had mysteriously disappeared seven years ago was back.

This time she couldn’t book the first flight to Gotham City. Apparating on the doorstep of the Wayne Manor didn’t seem like a good idea either even if she could pull it off magically. It had been years and life was complicated again.

Years as the owner of a company as huge as Rosier Limited and Minister for Magic had made her more level-headed. While she still felt a faint wish to do something as irrational and imprudent as jumping on the first plane, she knew better. This time she would take another path – slower but safer and probably more profitable in the long run. Not to mention that this way maybe she won’t scare the living daylights out of the only friend she’d ever had.

She made a mental note to look again into the collaboration project with Wayne Enterprises.

BBBW

Few days later…

Bella offered a patient smile to the director of Wayne Enterprises. She hadn’t been surprised to find out that Bruce did not run his company on his own. Aside from the obvious fact that he had been gone for seven years, he had never seemed to be overly eager to sit by the proverbial wheel and turn and turn and turn it around.

She also hadn’t been surprised by the man that was running the company. He was a bit sleazy, sneaky, too smooth to be trusted, quite vain and had a good eye for profit. Not the best combination around, but she had dealt with worse. Being a Minister for Magic during wartime had taught her patience like nothing else and in between constant smiling, atrocious tea, exercising of good will and sumptuous meal – Bellatrix was in a rather good mood.

“But we would be glad to discuss a possible collaboration plan as soon as Wayne Enterprises is finally public,” Earle added at the end of his rather long-winded apology. He wanted to make sure that there was no misunderstanding – cooperating with European giant such as Rosier Ltd. was very much desired although a bit ill timed.

“That is very unfortunate,” she said truthfully glancing out the window behind Mr. Earle. “I’m afraid I will be very busy in the near future but I’m sure if you will contact Mr. Burke you may find some common ground.” She smiled easily and made a move to rise. “Now if that’s all I believe I have plane to catch.”

To be honest, Bella had Apparated – she had far too little time to spend it on a flight over the Atlantic. As British Minister for Magic it was easy for her to get her hands on a pass that would let her through the magical border of America without fuss.

Director Earle rose as well. “Perhaps if you have some time to spare… I’d like to extend an invitation to a ball. It’s Mr. Wayne’s birthday and the rumors are it’s going to be the event of the season.”

She paused to think it over. She had some time to spare and this was a wonderful opportunity. Sometimes everything was too easy. “I’d be honored.” She was pleased.

BBBW

She arrived fashionably late, but obviously early enough – Bruce wasn’t here yet. She made her way into the wide halls that were decorated for the occasion and made no effort to blend in the crowd. She was a new face among the rich and powerful of Gotham and she stood out among them. The gown was luxurious even if not custom sewn for her from the best designers any world could offer and even when these people knew nothing of her – she still derived from them. Her absolute confidence in herself shoved in her every movement. Arrogance was becoming on her.

“Miss Rosier, I am glad to see you here,” Mr. Earle greeted her.

“This is magnificent party,” Bella lied lightly. All grand feasts for the rich and powerful of any society are quite similar. The Wizarding society hadn’t had a reason for grand parties ever since the War had started and Bellatrix appreciated the reprieve however she failed to find something unique or fascinating in the occasion.

“Indeed it is,” Mr. Earle agreed. “I’d like to introduce you to some friends of mine…”

Mr. Earle was interrupted by arrival of Alfred who announced that Mr. Wayne was on his way. Bella used the moment to move away from the Director and closer to the refreshment tables. She snatched a glass of champagne from a waiter when everyone started singing ‘Happy Birthday’.

There were too many people around her and she didn’t see him as he made his way in the hall. She took a sip of her champagne and frowned. She disliked the feeling of agitation in her chest; it made room for mistakes and doubt. Bellatrix never doubted herself and she rarely admitted making mistakes.

“Lucius Fox,” the man next to her introduced himself.

“Bellatrix Rosier,” she replied in kind. In muggle world she had taken her mother’s maiden name as her own. It wasn’t as much an attempt to conceal her identity as a symbol.

This wasn’t a mistake. This was chasing after a friend. Bellatrix knew she often walked a fine line between recognizing when emotionality was a liability and the inability to feel at all. In her years as the Minister she had watched the Order and her cousin and his friends – she had learned that friends were worth a lot. Because of a magical accident – a fluke, she had practically grown up with Bruce – there was close to no one who knew about her as much as he did and none with whom she used to speak so freely. Bella was practical – why make a new friend if she already had one?

She quickly excused herself when she saw Bruce coming her way. She made a move to smooth her gown while in truth she subtly cast a mild Notice-Me-Not charm on herself. She intended to listen in on few conversations and make her presence known in a bit more private place.

Bellatrix sipped her champagne and unobtrusively listened in on Bruce’s conversation with Mr. Fox and a moment later with the Ra’s Al Ghul – both of them. It was quite enlightening to say the least. It seemed that nothing was going to be as easy as it had at first appeared. She finished her champagne and while Bruce made his speech, she moved towards the stairs so that she would be out of the crowd’s way.

She cast the disillusionment charm on herself and stood by the stairs as the offended guests made their way out of the manor. She was a surprise element in this battle that neither side knew about, but before she could act she needed more information. Bellatrix waited until one of the ‘enemy’ men moved further into manor and followed him.

Few rooms further the man took a pinch of a powder and tossed it on the floor. It exploded with a small puff and ignited a small, but greedy fire on the carpet. Bellatrix didn’t wait for him to make his next move – she stunned him in the back. What followed was an intense interrogation which the man didn’t survive. Bella needed information – everything and fast – unfortunately, sanctimonious, loyal bastards are not very forthcoming in that facet. She didn’t have the time to dance around the subject so she used a few tricks she’d learned during the war to get him to talk. She wasn’t sorry about what she had had to do.

BBBW

She waited until Alfred went away before canceling the charms she had placed upon herself. She stood quietly watching him as he dressed, as he readied for battle. She had never thought of Bruce as a warrior. Oddly enough – it suited him. She watched him – she’d known him as a boy, but now he was a man. She wondered if there was anything left of the boy.

“Alfred?” Bruce questioned pausing in his movement. He felt he wasn’t alone.

Bella took a deep breath. “I suppose this is where I say ‘I’ve seen this coming all along’, but the truth is – I haven’t.”

Bruce turned around so quickly she barely noticed the movement. He gazed at her with wide eyes full of surprise, joy and a hint of suspicion. “Bella?”

She ignored his question and moved a few steps closer to him, careful not to slip on the rocks. “I really thought you had a better taste,” Bellatrix mournfully announced. “Black is so tacky.”

He smiled at her comment his expression relaxing. “It makes me look thinner,” he replied. He opened his mouth to say something more, but found himself at loss what to say. He had never expected to see her again, but with Bella, he supposed he should have known not to expect anything. He was overjoyed and scared at the same time; Gotham nearly forgotten.

“I hope you’re not going into a psychotic breakdown,” Bella said when the silence stretched. “It would be such a shame, especially after all I had to do to get here.”

“Gotham!” he cried. “Bella, I have to go,” he said quietly but with certainty.

“I know,” she said. She did know – the man she had interrogated told her everything about the plan to destroy Gotham. She walked up to him and looked him over. She frowned at the bleeding wound in his side. She took out her wand and touched the injury with it while thinking of the spell. “It’s emergency field magic. It will be no good in a couple of hours,” she explained.

He had said the words, but couldn’t find it in himself to move. He greedily watched her every movement as she approached him. He was surprised to feel the pain lessen and then disappear altogether from his side. He had so many questions to ask her – whether she’d stay? whether this was real? why now? “It’s amazing,” he muttered feeling his side. “Thank you,” he said sincerely.

Bella had never been an empathic person but even she could see the question burning in his face. A question he obviously couldn’t voice. His gaze was fixed on her and despite the urgency of the situation he didn’t make a single move.

“I will be here,” she said.

Bruce didn’t move. He searched her face for any sign of pleasant lies, insincerity or deceit. Moments later he nodded and proceeded in his preparations. He still had a city to save. And after that – a new day would come and for the first time in a long time he found himself looking forward to it.

BBBW

The next day…

All that was left of the grand Wayne manor which had housed generations of the family were smoky ruins. The pile of ruined marble and granite on the green hilltop symbolized that last night had not been only one of victory but also of loss.

Bruce felt unexpectedly sad when he finally saw the full amount of destruction. He hadn’t felt entirely comfortable in the house ever since his parent’s death – it had been the manor which housed Wayne family, he was just one person and ill suited to fill up a space for a whole family. However now he saw the manor for what it had been – not only a heritage to which he was the only successor, but an asylum for memories, a home.

He got out of the car and stood still for a moment. He breathed in the smell of burn that still lingered in the air and lowered his gaze. A feeling of reverence washed over him; it was like he wasn’t just standing by the wreckage that had been his house – it felt as if he was standing by a monument. A monument of change and sacrifice. A monument to his choice to become the Batman.

He felt Alfred stand beside him. Alfred had taken care of Wayne family – him ever since Bruce could remember. It had been Alfred’s house as much as his own. Bruce felt as if he had let the man down. Needing to distance himself, he moved further among the debris.

He walked through what once had been the grand hall and moved towards what was left of the furthest outer wall. The devastation was saddening. He came to the beginning of the stairs that led down the hill towards the greenhouses and stopped.

“Right here. Two stories up.”

Bruce turned around quickly and saw Bella perching on a large chunk of the wall. She glanced upwards before fixing her gaze upon him.

“There was a huge window that had the most beautiful view of the manor grounds,” she explained. “I liked it.”

All he could give her was a sad smile. “I missed you,” he said a moment later. His voice was quiet and tired. Suddenly he felt drained. The intensity of the past few days weighed heavily on him – there had been no time to think through – just to act and he didn’t have the faith in himself required for peace of mind.

Bella watched him. She saw him transforming from a strong and determined man to an unsure and burdened one. She felt oddly privileged by the obvious display of trust. She had always preferred actions to express her opinion rather than vocal reassurances, but it seemed that he needed it and she… Well, she couldn’t refuse him. “I still like you,” Bella offered.

He chuckled. Bruce wanted to know, but couldn’t ask. Last night she’d told him that she would be here – and here she was, but for how long? He had liked to think that he was no longer a coward but there were answers he’d rather not hear. He also didn’t ask why now?, because he was just glad that it was now rather than never. Bruce supposed that his unquestioning welcome of her could be seen as pathetic, but this was Bella and this was him. It was not a usual situation and they were not usual friends. If she truly were just a figment of his imagination he was still as glad as ever to see her again.

“It feels like a trade – a ruin for ruin,” he said finally.

She jumped off the rock and walked over. “They can’t take anything you won’t give,” Bella said her voice strong and unyielding.

Her gaze was burning against his. Bruce saw nothing but conviction in her eyes – she was so sure of herself and him and everything that - he felt carried away by the force of it. “How can you be so sure?”

“Been there done that,” she replied with a light grin.

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Trust me,” Bella asked. She took his hand and pulled him with her down the hill, away from the wreckage. Her steps were unhurried but determined, he came along willingly.

He stared at their hands for a moment. It was not the action that surprised him, but the fact. She was solid, warm, there. She seemed as real as the next person, as real as she’d never been before. “Bellatrix…”

“I’m here,” she said simply and came to stop. She turned around and pointed in the distance prompting him to stop and turn as well. “What do you see?” she asked.

He glanced at her his eyes hard. He did not want to go through this now. He had thought she understood.

“Tell me,” she urged.

Bruce looked at the distant hill and his gaze softened. “Failure. Disappointment. Loss,” he breathed out the words.

“An opportunity,” Bella countered. “A new start.”

“It’ll take time,” he said. It would take time to get used to the idea. It would take time to rebuild.

She smiled lightly. She’d like to tell him that he had all the time in the world, but truth was that he didn’t. “I think you’ll be just fine,” she assured.

He turned towards her and took both of her hands in his. He brushed his fingers along her skin reveling in the softness beneath his fingertips. Bruce was carried away by his feelings, by the moment. He had always longed after her even when he had no reason to hope to ever see her again. He was basking in joy at having her at his side again. He was amazed at how easy it was to confide even after ten years. He was taken aback at how easy she fit back into his life. Overwhelmed he leaned towards her and captured her lips with his. Her body relaxed into his and her unresisting lips parted. He gathered her in his arms and kissed her gently. He was in no hurry; slowly and deliberately he explored her mouth in a sensual manner.

She saw the intent in his eyes and chose not to move away. There was nothing demanding in the way his mouth came over hers and instinctively her body became subtle in his hands. Unwittingly her hands went around his neck and her lips parted. It was a moment before she kissed him back letting him know that she was there, that she …

The moment was destroyed by a large, sudden noise that sounded an awful lot like an Apparation.

It only took her seconds to move away from Bruce and point her wand at the origin of the noise and cast a spell. Her curse bounced off of a hastily cast shield. “Sirius?” she asked incredulously.

Sirius raised his hands in a non-threatening manner. “Easy, honey,” he said grinning. “It’s me.”

“Prove it,” Bellatrix spat.

“Well why else would I’ve come barging in like a herd of elephants? Certainly not to sneak on you; that would be a terrible strategy considering your reaction,” he replied. “Besides how could I find you if I was not me? Not to mention that this is smooth, love. It took a great deal of me to get here; we must be pretty far away from home.”

“Toss me your wand,” she demanded.

“Is this really necessary?” Sirius asked in a tired tone.

Bella arched her eyebrows and made a gesture with her wand that Bruce did not understand, but the other man obviously did, because he hastily tossed the required item. Bruce wasn’t sure what was happening, but he didn’t dare interrupt the impasse with a question so he just stood by Bella’s side hoping to be able to offer protection should she need it.

“That’s mean, Trixie. Real mean,” he said.

Bellatrix ignored the nickname and trained the other wand at Sirius as well. “How did you find me?” she asked her tone cold and indifferent.

Sirius winced at the tone. “It’s the Oath.”

Bellatrix frowned. “You used Blood Magic?” it was obvious she was reluctant to believe that.

“Yes! Yes. Yes, me,” he rattled. “We needed to find you quickly and it was the only way I could think of. Nobody else knows.”

“You do know that I can call you on it if you’re bluffing?”

“I was only disowned not dis-brain-ed,” Sirius replied annoyance visible on his features, although for all his frustration with the situation, he still did not lower his raised hands.

Bellatrix cut a line across her wrist with Sirius’ wand and muttered the spell.

“Bella!” Bruce couldn’t stay silent.

“It’s alright,” she assured him and a moment later the wound sealed shut without leaving a scar and not a drop of blood had been spilled. “Sirius,” she acknowledged her cousin and tossed him back his wand and lowered her own. “What did you need me for so desperately?”

Sirius was hesitant to reply in the presence of the other man, but Bellatrix obviously trusted him and if she wanted him gone - she would have said so and as she hadn’t it was unlikely that Sirius could do anything about it. He winced and began his explanation, “Voldemort broke into the Ministry tonight. He went to the DoM; we think he was looking for a prophecy.”

“What prophecy?” her tone was cold again.

“It’s Order business. You denied membership – I can’t tell you,” Sirius said his expression apologetic.

She disliked having things kept from her. The Ministry was her domain. Her domain was attacked, because somebody kept something from her. Bellatrix was furious. “What happened?” she snarled. Her fingers were itching.

Sirius resisted the urge to twitch. Bellatrix had reinstated him in the Black Family, but there was nothing that could give him back the title of the Lord of the Family – the annexes that came with the title had long ago gone to Bellatrix and there was no shame in admitting that she was a very scary Lady when she chose to be. She was also a good friend to have on a rainy day. “All on-duty Unspeakables and a couple of Aurors were killed. The floo is completely destroyed, the elevator and level nine are badly damaged,” he said. “There’s no way we can cover it up.”

“We’re not going to,” Bella replied coldly.

“The Ministry was considered impenetrable, invulnerable – the safest place besides Hogwarts and Azkaban. People are going to panic.”

“No they won’t,” she said confidently. “Because there won’t be any time to. This is the last straw. Go back and tell Dumbledore that I’ll be there soon. Gather the press we need to come out with an announcement before they print something stupid and then… Then we will up the stakes.”

Sirius eyed his cousin. “He will oppose you.”

“He usually does.”

“But I’m with you on this one,” he said. “We do need to act.” Sirius acknowledged her with a nod and disappeared with a soft pop.

Bella turned to Bruce. He hadn’t said almost anything during her exchange with Sirius and strangely enough – it disturbed her. “Any questions?” she asked forcing out a smile.

“Many,” Bruce replied. “But it seems that you have little time.”

“I have to go,” she affirmed.

“Promise to come back and tell me about your world for abandoning me now and we’ll call it a deal,” he said lightly, although his expression was one of concern. Killed? Destroyed? Damaged? Up the stakes? The words struck fear in him.

“Deal.”

He leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Curse them to oblivion,” he whished her well echoing a sentiment from times long gone.

“I’ll see what I can do,” she replied smiling lightly. A moment later she disappeared without a sound.

His gaze didn’t leave her until the last possible moment. There was nothing right in the world and the moments when you could forget that ended far too soon. He felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Bruce looked ahead at the ruins of his home and suddenly he felt confident; he could and would fix it. He made quick and determined steps towards the manor.