Knight of Pentacles, Queen of Wands

Ch11: Justice

From Knockturn Alley, Severus Apparated directly to Malfoy Manor where he gladly rid himself of his Death Eater robes. It was understood that since the manor had a dungeon, it was the ideal place to take any prisoners. The Dark Lord would then arrive at his leisure, which likely wouldn't be until the morning as it was so late. What Severus didn't count on was Apparating into chaos.

"Bitch!"

"Aw, is ickle Cissy jealous?" a gleefully cackling Bellatrix Lestrange said as she threw a Stinging Hex straight for Narcissa Malfoy, who was standing on a new sofa.

The blonde blocked the hex with a Shield Charm before sending a Bat-Bogey Hex of her own back to her black-haired sister.

There were plenty of wizards in the room and they made sure to stay well out of the way of the two witches. Even Sirius Black, who was presumably still under the Imperius Curse, was standing there with a blank look on his face. Severus counted Rodolphus, Evan Rosier, as well as Lucius, Regulus, and Karkaroff. Not one of the men was fool enough, or Gryffindor enough, to make an attempt to stop the witches.

Narcissa gave a shriek of outrage as a purple bolt hit and shattered an expensive looking vase on the mantel.

"Give it up and admit it, Cissy! I'm the Dark Lord's favorite!"

"Lucius is favored too," Narcissa shot back haughtily.

Severus was intrigued. The Black sisters were notorious for not getting along, but they were more often seen working in tandem against others than getting into knock-down drag-outs with each other. Severus decided to approach Rodolphus, who was leaning casually against the wall, affecting a look of utter boredom.

"You've emasculated Roddy, Bella! Never giving him the chance to be a real wizard, unlike Lucius-"

"Who is the epitome of wizarding manliness with how he frets over his mane of hair," Bella countered nastily.

"Roddy" didn't act a bit phased and Lucius merely glared at Bella for her comment. Regulus was laughing.

"What's going on?" Severus asked Rodolphus.

"The usual. Bella came to gloat because the Dark Lord entrusted her with one of his possessions. Cissy took issue and claimed that Lucius was just as favored because the Dark Lord entrusted him with an artifact too. They compared the artifacts and insulted the other's standing with the Dark Lord by trying to say their own artifact was better," Rodolphus answered in a monotone voice.

Severus didn't show any reaction, but he did exchange a glance with Regulus who, despite his laughter, seemed interested. None of it stopped Regulus from conjuring a camera and taking a picture of the two sisters who were again throwing hexes.

"Ah, there's nothing like celebrating the witching hour with the Black sisters! I'll give this to mum so she can pass it on to Aunt Druella. It'd serve them both right to have this appear in the family Christmas letter," Regulus snickered cheerfully.

"I believe it is moments like this that Aunt Druella is glad she was born a Rosier," Evan added smugly. "We're a more civilized lot than the Blacks."

"Careful, cousin," Rodolphus lazily intoned.

"Tread lightly, Rosier," Lucius warned.

"If it came down to a Rosier and a Black, my money would be on the Black," Regulus challenged.

"Well, right now, I'm more interested in which of these Black/Rosier hybrids is going to come out of this catfight unscathed," Evan countered.

"Care to make a wager?" Regulus offered.

They all did, of course. Wagering on just about anything was a hobby that everyone who had ever been in Slytherin House did for makeshift entertainment. Galleons were always changing hands for one bet or another.

"Well, I should take Sirius to the dungeon," Regulus announced to the other wizards when it seemed the fight would not be ending in the near future. "Let me know how it turns out."

Lucius waved him on. "Take a house-elf with you. You all will be staying the night regardless."

They couldn't leave since they were expecting the Dark Lord. It went without saying that everyone else wouldn't leave either as they wouldn't want to miss an opportunity to see the Dark Lord and whatever excitement came with him; very much like vultures to carrion.

"I'll go with you," Severus added before following Regulus out of the room.

A very strange house-elf escorted them to the dungeons, where they promptly placed Sirius Black into one of the cells. Severus didn't say anything but gave a significant look to Regulus.

"We have to get those artifacts."

"Tricky, but it can be done, I think," Regulus stated pensively.

Regulus looked at his brother who was still under the Imperius Curse. He turned back to Severus.

"There's no love lost between the two of us, but even Sirius can be useful."

"No. We're not bringing him into this," Severus stated emphatically.

"Oh, I didn't mean of his own will, Severus. His Transfiguration skills are beyond repute."

Severus couldn't dispute that as he knew that Black was an Animagus. That took great skill, however much it galled Severus to silently admit it to himself.

"So, we somehow get the artifacts and have him Transfigure copies for us, after which we find a way to smuggle them out under the Dark Lord's nose," Severus concluded.

"Exactly."

"Suicide then."

"Precisely. You're catching on."

Severus wasn't amused. His attitude wasn't nearly as cheerful as Regulus was often able to manage.

"Our Karkaroff scheme will have to come into play. I imagine this won't go off without a hitch," Severus ruminated.

"Quite likely," Regulus agreed.

"Tonight then. While everyone is asleep."

That would be their only opportunity for action. Severus knew that Bella and Rodolphus would take their artifact straight to their Gringotts vault. Everyone who knew Lucius would know that his artifact would find its way into a heavily warded area under the floorboards of their new dining room. Lucius had only talked endlessly about the wonders of his dark spell work for weeks on end. One would think that it was a modern marvel of dark wizardry the way he went on.

At approximately two-thirty a.m., Severus snuck into Rodolphus' and Bella's room to retrieve the artifact. Helga Hufflepuff's cup, Bella had proudly announced to Cissy, as befitted her as she was so incredibly loyal. The result of that announcement was a rather impressive scorch mark on the new sofa. It was Regulus' task to retrieve the diary, which Bella had taken great care to mock, from Lucius' and Narcissa's room. How they were going to be even remotely successful, Severus hadn't a clue.

With great shock, Severus discovered that the room was unwarded and the cup was sitting out on the dresser. Bella was too arrogant by half. All he had to do was cast Muffliato and a Disillusionment Charm. It seemed too easy. It was too easy. Severus was extremely unsettled by that feeling.

Severus made his way back to down to the dungeon without discovery where Regulus was waiting for him with the diary. He looked a bit worried himself, but shook it off with an arrogant smile.

"Let's get on with it, shall we?" Regulus asked.

"Yes, let's."

It was Lucius' voice. He didn't sound at all happy. Not that Severus expected otherwise. The two wizards turned at the sound of his voice.

"I think it's about time the two of you told me what was going on."

Lucius had his wand on them and he had the home advantage. He looked every bit the maligned dark wizard. Severus never thought that he would be able to feel upset at the prospect of dying a second time, however, the thought of being at the Dark Lord's mercy wasn't something he was anticipating; not at all. He was right in that it had all seemed too easy; there wasn't such a thing.