Chapter Five

Bellatrix knew that she was being followed. The first thing that you had to learn living with drow was to watch your back. The whole wretched race was treacherous to the core and trust was reserved for foolish and the dead. Bellatrix was a good student and survived through countless assassination attempts, both engineered by the rival houses and inside her own. Slave or not she wielded no small amount of power and power more than anything else determined your position in a food chain that was drow society.

Take Merith for example, a psychotic ex-commoner was adopted into the family purely for her clerical talent and sadistic streak. Or Gromph Baenre, a mere male in an extremely matriarchal society, which favoured females and discriminated males in every possible way, could have almost any female he desired including her and not just because he was nobility and brother of Matron Mother of the First House, but because he was ridiculously powerful and desirable mate for progeny. There were rumours that his daughter Liriel Baenre, used to be Vandree until he has discovered her talent for arcane magic and slain her mother, his former mistress. In fact family ties meant little to nothing to drow in terms of loyalty or affection; they just were not capable of it and kin slaying to improve your position in your own house was a common occurrence and even encouraged as long as you didn’t get caught. No one was completely safe not even matron mothers themselves. There was no such word as loyalty in drow language and that’s what Bellatrix despised about them the most, while recognizing the need of additional pair of eyes on the back of her head.

Since she couldn’t possibly hope to grow a new pair of eyes she found a rather original way around it. Being an arcane spellcaster she had an option of acquiring familiar, a magical companion which usually was an unnaturally intelligent creature among its species and could have special abilities. Every self-respecting wizard or sorcerer had one and Bellatrix suspected that Gromph was more attached to his rat Kyorli than to any other living being in Menzoberranzan. However the most important argument in favour of a familiar was a psionic link between mage and his pet which allowed the former to give it commands or even possess it.

Bellatrix’s personal choice was a rather harmless spider that she often used to clasp her hair with behind her neck as an improvised hairclip and threat detector combined. The reason for it being harmless was her lack of control at the moment she acquired it, its excellent vision and her general discomfort with spiders. Over years of practising her skills improved and discomfort disappeared, but she had also grown attached and had no desire to replace it. She had even given it a name which from Low Drow translated as comrade or “trusted” friend. Gods knew there were no other friends to be gained in Underdark except for pets. And that’s probably was the main reason why she view Sirius in a different light this time. The man would have rather died than betray Potters and that quality must have count for something. She didn’t even mind him adopting their son into the family because otherwise it just wouldn’t be him. Unfortunately it was a package deal.

Bellatrix inconspicuously slowed down her pace and allowed her pursuer to approach closer in order to get a better look at her through the eyes of her familiar. The girl, which now looked more as a young woman than a girl actually, noticed the change eventually and slowed down herself, but it was enough. Bellatrix recognized the boots and wand holster on the left arm of “Emma Collins” and wasn’t fooled by the change of robes and appearance. She could have sworn that the girl in the shop recognized her, but first dismissed it then. After all she wasn’t gone for such long period of time and people no doubt remembered her, maybe even scared their naughty children with her. But now after such an outrageous display of changing appearance she realized that the stare was a lot more personal.

‘Half-blood then’ – Bellatrix thought with amusement. She was more aware than anyone else how much alike she and Andrmomeda looked like. She used to love it and then after Andromeda ran away with that muggle-born she used to hate it. But now it felt as if it happened a lifetime ago. Well might as well start to catch up she figured and turned around looking at Nymphadora pointedly, waiting for her to approach. It was still a very early hour and the Alley was practically deserted so there was no mistake about her object of attention. Nymphadora, who was in her usual appearance except for natural brown hair, froze in her tracks and swore under her breath. She would never hear the end of it from Moody. How did she slip up? She was keeping respectful distance.

Bellatrix didn’t want to raise her voice, but her niece was slightly too far and not cooperative.

“Don’t keep me waiting, Dora” – she demanded in a strict voice. She knew all about Andromeda’s strange taste in names and was positive she got the diminutive right. She tried to dissuade her sister countless times from one name or the other when they were still in Hogwarts and sometimes succeeded. Nymphadora had no idea what she might have end up being named with if not for aunt Bella.

‘Fuck, she knows!’ – this was getting better and better. There was obviously no point in denying it so Tonks started reluctantly to approach.

Bellatrix waited until her niece started moving again and slowly continued going in her original direction. Tonks finally caught up and they went side by side in uncomfortable silence for approximately a minute. Tonks wasn’t sure if she was supposed to initiate conversation and was stealing occasional glances at Bellatrix. Yes, true, she followed her, but it was her who made an attempt at contact. Silence was making her even more nervous and one question was practically nagging at her mind. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore and professional curiosity got the better of her.

“How did you notice me following you?” – she asked in one breath.

Bellatrix finally turned her head to look at her and appeared to be almost friendly.

“Promise not to tell anyone?” – she asked in conspiratorial tone.

Tonks frowned, this wasn’t what she was expecting. She didn’t want to promise this woman anything aunt or not. She heard about what happened to Longbottoms. And Moody would be far from amused. Bellatrix noticed her hesitation and was annoyed. Not so much with Dora, as with the whole situation. It didn’t look promising. She was too young to be an Auror, wasn't she? Then what was she doing at Ollivander’s or following her? Finally she decided to try to break the ice and gave a mental command to spider to release her hair and move on her shoulder for Dora’ inspection. Dora's reaction wasn’t what she expected. She jumped away a whole two feet in fear and surprise. Hmm, her social skills certainly didn’t improve during her stay in Underdark Bellatrix figured. Were all people so frightful back here as she remembered? Interesting how her niece would react to four driders trying to tear her apart?

“Its name is Abbil. It is harmless.” – Bellatrix said, this time obviously annoyed with Tonks - “I had him for more than a decade, in Lloth’s name” – she added as if defending her pet and then mentally slapped herself for her slip. She didn’t worship the chaotic evil Demon, far from it, but it was part of her life for too long and she was used to praising her even though she didn't meant a word of it.

“Sure.” – Tonks collected herself giving Abbil suspicious examination. – “Who is Lloth by the way?” – she asked absent-mindedly.

“Someone you don’t want to meet. Don’t mention her name anymore. Hear me?” – Bellatrix demanded harshly in a commanding voice. – “Say Lolth instead if you absolutely have to. It is important.”

“Sure” – Tonks gave her a strange look – “So who is this Lolth?” – she was curious now. ‘Is it someone like Voldemort?’ – she wondered, but didn’t say it aloud. She decided it wasn’t a good idea to mention Voldemort in the presence of former Death Eater. Smart girl.

“Promise not to tell anyone?” – Bellatrix asked in a voice that somehow managed to be daring, mocking and deadly serious at the same time. And Tonks surprisingly to herself answered:

“I do”

Bellatrix sighed. For some reason she couldn’t yet understand herself, she wanted to gain the trust of Andromeda’s daughter.

“She is patron deity of all spiders” –she replied. She wanted to add drow and all that is evil to that list, but decided better. No need to push away girl more than she already did.

“Deity? Like goddess?” – Tonks inquired.

‘More like Demon, with capital D’ – Bellatrix thought.

“Yes.”

“Do you worship her?” – Tonks asked carefully, taking in her aunt’s appearance one more time.

“No.” – Bellatrix was careful not to show anger and annoyance.

‘You certainly look like you do’ – Tonks was smart enough not to say that aloud and instead said nothing at all. So Bellatrix grabbed her mane of white hair and mentally ordered familiar to clasp it again, while Tonks carefully watched the entire thing with interest. So that’s how she did it, she suddenly realized that she knew the answer to her initial question, even though she didn’t understand how exactly it worked. Suddenly Bellatrix stopped and Tonks realized that they were at the entrance of Daily Prophet’s office.

“Look” – Bellatrix started and paused for a moment, trying to make her understand – “I realize that we barely know each other, but I would like to get reacquainted with my sisters. Both of them.” – she said for emphasis – “Can you let your mother know that, please?”

“Of course” – Tonks replied neutrally trying to gauge Bellatrix’s intentions – “Are you going inside?”- She asked and Bellatrix simply nodded – “Oh” – Tonks said meaningfully and Bellatrix genuinely smiled in response for the first time and it showed.

“Guess see you on the news...” – Tonks attempted a joke with a nervous laugh. Bellatrix nodded again and went through the doors.

Tonks found herself standing outside for several long seconds trying to arrange her thoughts in the order. She already asked Ollivander to instruct her partner to inform Moody about Bellatrix Lestrange. And at least her slip-up following her aunt wouldn’t have any serious consequences since she well went straight to Daily Prophet so she obviously wasn’t in hiding. Not to mention that there would be a horde of reporters harassing her for the rest of the day without Tonks having to add to it. So that meant she could go back to Ollivander’s and do what she was ordered to do. But then there was going to be a conversation with mum of course. Tonks sighed and started to move her clumsy frame back. She couldn’t help but worry.

A/N I am sure I don't have to remind you, but please review after you read ;)