Realization

Disclaimer: This all belongs to Jo, but I imagine it's mine sometimes, imagine me, writing the seventh book...a what a story it would be...anyway, not profiting, not owning, unfortunately.

A/N: Well, here it is! Yay! I sat down and finally finished this chapter today. It's a strange one. But I hope that you all like it. Sorry about the wait. School and alcohol has had me crashing. Anyway, I might get one more update out before Christmas, but I'm not making any promises. I will write a lot while I'm on break and away from my precious internet, though. Thanks to all my reviewers. I have updated my format, I was having issues, so it's easier to read. As always, slam me with what you think, aka review.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SEVEN
Ginny sat between Fred and George on the couch. She was so overwhelmed that she didn’t know what to say. Dumbledore was sitting gracefully on her knees, looking up at her, while Snape sat across from her in an armchair. He was leaning back casually observing her with his stunning black eyes, and she couldn’t hold his gaze. Letting her eyes drop to the floor, she could think of nothing to say.

“So,” said Fred, “what are you going to do now?”

“I guess I’m going to sit here and wait for this baby to be born,” she said quietly.

“Have you not heard a single word I’ve said?” asked Snape. “That baby cannot come into this world safely here and I cannot get you out of here. There is but one option at this point.”

“No way,” said Ginny, lifting her eyes to meet his, fire dancing in them.

“And what do you expect to happen if I let you carry it to term?” he asked, staring right back.

“I expect you to respect my decision. And I expect Harry to come for me. And I expect Harry to kill Tom before I’m even close to delivering.”

“You are diluted. Potter does not stand a chance.”

“You don’t know him and you haven’t been around for almost four months.”

“I know that he doesn’t have the power,” George said.

“You know nothing,” Ginny spat, turning her fiery gaze on her brother, making him shift slightly under it.

“I know that his power grows, but he will not be ready in the next seven months,” said Fred.

“Whatever,” she replied.

They sat in silence for several minutes, lost in doubt; fear for an unborn child and, in Ginny’s case, defiant confidence in her husband’s ability. Then Snape let out a hiss and clutched his arm.

“The mark?” asked the twins together.

“Yes,” he replied. “We must all three be gone. Albus will stay with your sister. I fear he may be luring us away to move her without our knowledge. I sense Bella.”

The three of them stood simultaneously and headed for the door. In a flash, Fred was on his back, unconscious, his wand in Ginny’s hand.

“Go,” she said. “Tell him you let Fred stay behind.”

The two nodded, knowing she may need the wand, and exited, seeing the amusement twinkling in the blue eyes of the phoenix.

They headed down the hallway outside her room and down a set of stairs.

“She knows how to take care of herself,” George said to himself.

“That she does,” said Snape as he opened the door. The pair stepped over the threshold and disapperated.

They appeared in a medieval courtyard belonging to an old castle. They stepped through an archway and expected to see the whole First Circle. They saw only an infuriated Bella and a confused looking Draco Malfoy.

“What is happening?” asked Snape.

“The mudblood is in St. Mungo’s and the Dark Lord has moved the rest of us to Azkaban.”

“He accelerated the attack?” asked George.

“Yes. He has also sent the creatures to the forest. But we are to remain behind. Where is the other?” she asked.

“He stayed behind to guard the girl,” answered Snape.

“I thought-" Bella started.

“You thought what?” asked Snape.

“Nevermind.”

“No, really, I’d like to know. Since you actually thought,” Snape shot back.

Bella had her wand drawn and was glaring daggers at him. Snape had a challenging look on his face, but he had drawn his wand just as fast. George and Draco sensed the animosity in the air and stepped away from their respective mentors.

“I thought that you knew to bring both. There is much to discuss.”

“Like what, I wonder?”

“The girl.”

“What about my sister?” asked George.

“She and you are nothing but filthy blood traitors. Shut up,” Bella shot at George.

“I will not. What about my sister?”

“You’ll soon find out,” said Bella, a sneer curling her lips.

“Do enlighten us, Bella,” Snape said, pulling a sneer to match hers.

“Well, I don’t think I will share that with the brats,” she said, indicating Draco and George.

“You said we were all to join you and discuss something. We are all here. By all means, let’s discuss whatever idea it is you’ve place to play in the Dark Lord’s mind,” said Snape casually, though he had never lowered his wand.

“Well, let me only say that the brat may not live much longer.”

“Which brat?” spat Draco. “You have referred to four of us as brats now, Aunt Bella. Please, clarify who you mean. Me? Or Ginny?”

“You still have your uses, Draco,” she said as she stepped toward him in an inappropriate manner for such a close relation. “You have not yet proven yourself, but there is much left for you. The Dark Lord has plans for you, Draco,” she practically purred.

Draco backed away from her, knowing that, like his father, the aura of power surrounding his pale body attracted her. “Don’t touch me,” he spat.

“Well, well, what is this?” jibed Snape. “Well, I do believe Draco wishes to leave your tutelage, Bella. Whatever shall we do now?” he asked no one in particular. “I will have to speak to the Dark Lord. He did tell you that you are not to touch the Malfoy men, correct, you daft woman?”

Sparks flared in Bella’s eyes. “Cru-”

“Enough!” came a cold voice from the dark.

Voldemort stepped out of the shadows. George and Draco looked unsurprised, they had spotted him when their mentors had drawn their wands. Snape, Draco, and George fell into a bow while Bella stood defiantly in front of her master.

Voldemort gave her a warning look, but she did not move. She just stood there in silence.

“Bella,” he hissed, “you have forgotten yourself again. I told you that your ideas were to be kept to yourself. And you almost cursed Severus. Tut, tut…what to do with you now?”

“To-”

“Silence! You have disappointed me. Crucio!”

He held the curse on her until she fell into whimpers. Once he lifted the curse he turned his back on her and faced the three kneeling men.

“The reason for your visit tonight, Severus, is I wish to discuss the state of our captive.”

“My Lord,” said Snape from his place on the ground. “She-”

“You may all rise,” Voldemort cut in.

Once they had risen, Snape continued, “She is distraught at her brothers’ complicity. However, she seems to accept it. I sense that once she is removed from Potter a little longer, she will be receptive enough to visit you. Perhaps, she will be a great fighter for you one day. The day.”

“Excellent. Then she is receptive to the lie about your deal with Dumbledore?”

“So far. She seems to see the logic in the lie.”

“Weasley?”

“My Lord, she will not last long without Potter. She will come around. We did. She’s more like us than she’s willing to admit. She will see the way,” George said.

“Excellent. I will send Draco along. You two are dismissed.”

The pair apparated away with another bow, leaving the clearing to Voldemort and Draco, Bella having passed into seeming unconsciousness.

“Draco,” said the Dark Lord imperiously, “come, walk with me.”

Draco complied and they walked away from Bella in silence.

The Dark Lord stopped and Draco moved to see him better. “My child, this is your chance to prove yourself. Woo the chit. Make her see that there are many benefits to coming to our side. But I warn you. Do not hurt her. I want that child.”

“Yes, but what of the girl?”

“She could be useful. If the Weasley is correct, she will turn, the same as them.”

“And if she is reluctant?”

“Then she is of no consequence.”

“I understand.”

“You are dismissed.” And with that, Draco apparated from the clearing, leaving Bella alone to face Voldemort.

“I know you heard,” he said with his back turned.

She rose and walked to his side. She put a hand on his arm and he removed it.

“You were impertinent. Though the others may know of the change in your status, you are not to flaunt it, or I will take another.”

“Who? Who is more powerful than me?”

“I hear Pettigrew has served his purpose, in a way.”

“The mudblood killed him.”

“So he did serve a purpose.”

“What do you mean, my Lord?”

“His death took the last of her innocence. She has split her soul. And she has enjoyed it, the same as you.”

“But she’s a mudblood!” cried Bella. “Surely she does not compare to me!”

“Perhaps you overestimate the value of the Black blood.”

“Perhaps you think that a child with her would be better for your cause!” she shrieked. She turned to apparate away, but he caught her arm.

“Keep this up and you will be thrown to someone less kind than me.”

“Ha! You fancy yourself kind?!”

“Kinder than most. I told you already, I am not all evil. You are dismissed.”

He released her arm but she did not leave. She merely stood there, looking at him.

“I told you, you are dismissed. Get up to Azkaban.”

“As you wish…Tom.”

She turned to apparate again, but this time he pulled her tight against him.

“Redeem yourself, and you may be permitted to call me that again. Only after you’ve redeemed yourself and proven your willingness to obey. You are dismissed.”

He released her and she left without another word.

Why do I bother with her, he wondered. Yes, she is powerful, but too confident. Her blood does not make her better than any. I should let her go…release her to the one who desires her…we will see. Perhaps, perhaps Granger would be a better choice. She is just as vicious, if not more so, with less of a sense of just how powerful she is…perhaps Granger…

Voldemort drifted off in his thoughts for a while. Then, he turned and was gone in a cloud of black smoke.