Death to Belladonna's Enemies

Malachite stone shone on her ring. Determination in her head was swelling rapidly; a mix of tears, regret, constant shouting, and hatred boasted her decision. She is to revenge Sirius' death.

Their love-story commenced at Hogwarts, before the lethal reign of Lord Voldemort was evident. It took time for their feelings to develop and for them to get together. By the time school was over, Sirius Black saw no other plans in his life than the one to marry Lucretia Trent. She was all he ever wanted. She was his angel, the angel of Slytherin house.

Lucretia was quite different from her house mates. She did not see a point of being an insufferable git to everyone, even to those of lesser blood. She would always suppress her hatred towards wizards and witches whose blood was not as pure as hers or Sirius'. On the other hand, there were qualities in her that linked her to her house - Purity of blood, mule determination/stubbornness, ambition, vindictiveness, and family tradition. She accepted her mates the way they were, making sure she never went astray in her path to always be good.

Sirius loved her because of that. But then everything started going terribly wrong - the prophecy, and the threat against Lily and James and their new-born son. Lucretia felt she was loosing grip on Sirius. Last straw was when Sirius run away, despite her begging, to make Peter pay for his betrayal. When Sirius got imprisoned, her life ended. Slowly, she pushed away all her friends that she knew were involved with Lord Voldemort.

But as time passed, she advanced in the Ministry of Magic where she worked, and became Senior Executive for Wizard Safety. That meant she could leave to inspect Azkeban whenever she pleased, but that was pointless then, since Sirius ran away.

Eager to see Sirius again, and knowing that all the Order of Phoenix members can trust her, she joined them. She have forgiven Sirius for leaving her all alone for 14 years and love again started sparking between them again. Unfortunately, it did not go as far as it did the first time - this time due to Sirius' death.

That event left her empty and hating. After telling the whole Order off and slapping Remus Lupin, she trailed off to plot her revenge. It was their fault that Sirius died, she thought. They could've saved him. Instead, an old crackpot fool wizard, a filthy werewolf, half-blood punk, senile paranoid Auror, and handful of kids emerged alive.

For an unexplainable reason she did not blame Bellatrix for Sirius' death, like Lupin did. She grew up with Bellatrix, witnessing her harsh childhood and knew why she turned out so... the way she was. It was them, the Order who should have saved Sirius. After all she has had done for them, getting all those informations about Voldemort from Lucius Malfoy, who always trusted her, not helping those ten Death Eaters out of Azkeban when she could have, and tried her hardest to get Professor Umbridge out of Hogwarts, this is how they thanked her.

The fortress of Azkeban was cold. Rough walls exhumed the tortured screams they endured over the years causing chills to run through everybody's veins. Even the Dementors abandoned this place, now that the Dark Lord proposed them a better deal. Seldom were left, roaming around, lost.

On the top floor, where all the permanent residents were inhabiting, sly whispers were vibrating the air. Lucretia followed the sound to find herself in a vista of metal doors, arched by grey stone, with no bolt or lock, that magic held locked. She went from one to another, looking for any Death Eaters. Finally, she peered through the eye-level bars, only opening the occupants of the cells had to the outside world, and found Antonin Dolohov's hollow eyes staring back at her.

"Routine Azkeban inspection, m'dear?" he said dully, in his Eastern European accent.

"Something like that. So, how's it going?" she said, starting to get uncomfortable under his exterminating gaze, but still holding well, not blinking.

"Oh, it's going marvelous, we just love it here," Lucretia heard a slimy voice behind her.

"Jugson," she said turning around, feeling Dolohov's eyes at the back of her skull, "I came here to help you."

"Help us convert to the good side? Maybe join you in idolizing Dumbledore," Dolohov mocked from behind.

"No, I said I came to help you."

"She came to slaughter us."

"That moronic old man wants her to get information on how to find the Dark Lord!"

"You're mocking us, aren't you?"

"Let her speak!" was heard out of the depths of hallway. Lucretia recognized that cold silky voice, and knew that she can turn to its speaker for help and understand.

She walked down the corridor, every cell dweller now looking out to her.

"How can I help you?" asked Lucius Malfoy, leaning on the bars, his nose resting between two of them. His hair looked not longer sleek and healthy, but it was dry, matt. His face adopted ghastly green colour and purple eye bags were around his eyes.

"I want to help you. I want to get you out of this place, so you can return to your Master and serve him."

"I am sorry, but I am not really buying this. Come again."

"I said, it is unfair that you are locked out here, when real murderers are roaming around our world, brining all the contained blood to be taught our ways," Lucretia said, trying to keep her face from reflecting too much hatred.

Lucius was quiet, studying her blue eyes, when a voice came from behind her. Opposite of Lucius' call was Bellatrix's call.

"Does this have anything to do with my dead cousin?" she said, laughing out of joy that she was the one to kill the black sheep of the noble house of Black.

"You know it does," she spat angrily.

"They were running all around to save James' son, even Sirius thought of his life less than of that stupid bairn's. They need to pay... Especially Dumbledore; he needs to die."

"Admirable sentiment, Lucretia. So as far as I understand this, you want us to go and avenge your boyfriend?" Lucius sneered.

"No. I want you free you, so I can join you and make sure that Dumbledore is dead. He should've have allowed Sirius' death!"

"Are you sure you're worthy enough to have our Master wanting you in his service?"

Lucretia thought for a moment.

"All the Unforgivable Curses, I can do them. You know I can. I studied Dark Arts my whole life. On the other hand, nobody from the Order suspects that I would ever join your circles.... and they do tell me things. Things that your Master might find useful"

Lucius thought for a moment.

"How will you free us?" he asked, his inside already throbbing with excitement that he'll be out soon.

"I'll send someone to get you out. Someone who can get past the wizard security that was put at the entrance - mind you, it's pitiful what unlearnt scum they think can protect Azkeban. However, I cannot help you now, nobody can even suspect me," Lucretia said, business-like.

Lucius exchanged few glances with Bellatrix, opposite of him, and few other people, and it was all nods. Lucretia knew that their deal was on.

"When will you send someone to get us out?"

"In less than a fortnight. Be ready. I found a temporary place for you to stay, a spare castle that has been in my family for years; location very secretive, no one will find it," she said, unable to suppress a feeble smile.

"The deal is sealed. I am sure that the Dark Lord will be glad to have such a great witch like you in his service. Everyone did always wonder why didn't you join..."

"Right. Until then-"

"Good bye."

"Do svidaniya," called Dolohov as she left. They all overheard her conversation with Lucius and were all excited that they will soon be out, running around in their masks, and doing what they like the best - making others suffer.