~February 14, 1996~{Z/Nydia}

[Aramorta Riddle {HM}]

Heads bowed against the chilly, February wind, Aramorta and Zaire traipsed along the side of the steep hill. They did not look at each other, or Nydia, once. It was enough work just walking and trying not to slip on the icy stone. They were headed toward the little cave at the top, having agree to meet Bellatrix there. They had missed a meeting due to tests, and she was to catch them up. The Dark Lord had a small mission for them, one that could be done while at the castle. Both could only assume it had to do with Potter in some way, but knew nothing more yet.

Reaching the cave opening, after what seemed like walking for hours, they hurried inside, out of the wind and starting snow. Aramorta drew her wand and lit it; Zaire followed her lead, lighting the tip of his rowan wand as well. Another light suddenly brightened up the back of the cave and they continued toward it. Bellatrix leaned against the very back stone wall, face covered by the hood of a thick black robe. It was, however, obvious it was her as she raised her oddly curved wand higher, causing the light to flood directly over her, showing her usual dress underneath the robe. Ara and Zaire lowered their hoods, and, now positive that is was them, so did Bellatrix.

The older woman's eyes lingered over Nydia for a second, a look of mild disgust on her face. She then turned to her children instead, completely ignoring the third teenager. The silence in the cave was slightly awkward as the three just stared at each other. "Well, I didn't know you were going to bring that one..." were Bella's first words, obviously refering to Nydia. "Is that a problem?" both said coldly, almost at the exact same time. Bella sneered. "I suppose not, you'd probably tell her anyway," despite her words, Bella still did not look pleased. "Not if the Dark Lord said not to," Ara snapped. Bellatrix's face reddened. She looked about ready to start yelling, but then froze. There was a sound at the other end of the cave. Bellatrix's expression instantly changed. "Well, well, well...if it isn't my dear cousin..." she said with a cold laugh. Ara and Zaire spun around. It was a dog. For a second both looked confused, but then it clicked and both laughed too. Ara's laughter was suddenly cut off as she looked over at Nydia.

[Nydia Black-Keigwin]

Nydia's eyes watered slightly as the cold wind stung her face almost taking her breath away. She walked in silence with Aramorta and Zaire as they neared the cave that they were to meet up with another Death Eater for a run through of the meeting they has missed. Nydia did not know who it was they were meeting but she had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomache, one she should of took notice of but instead ignored.

They stepped into total darkness when they reached the entrance of the cave. Nydia lit her wand as soon as Zaire and Aramorta lit theirs, shortly followed by a fourth wand that Nydia recognized at once. She stifled a groan as the light hit the all to familiar face underneath the hood, Bellatrix Lestrange, her fathers cousin and Aramorta and Zaire's mother. The dislike between Nydia and Bellatrix was mutual, and Bellatrix made that known within seconds of lowering her hood. "Well, I didn't know you were going to bring that one..." Bellatrix spit the words like venom. Nydia smirked and said "I should say the same dear Bella, I was not aware it would be YOU either." Nydia was reaching up to lower her hood just as Bella said "Well, well, well...if it isn't my dear cousin..." Nydia paused slightly confused until she realized Bella was looking beyond where she was standing. Slowly she turned with her hands still raised toward her hood, she gasped in shock as she saw a shaggy black dog standing just inches from her. She averted her gaze but it was too late her eyes had already locked briefly with the dogs. She slowly lowered her hood and raised her eyes back to the dogs eyes, knowing she was already busted.

The big shaggy dog quickly changed shape into that of a man, his eyes filled with anger and disappointment. "Well what do we have here? NYDIA OKELANI DUMBLEDORE-BLACK you get your little butt up to Dumbledore's office NOW while I have a word with my favorite cousin!" Nydia looked straight into her fathers eyes and said "Father I cannot do that, I must obey The Dark Lord, he is my master." Sirius' jaw dropped at her words and he glanced at all four of the other people in the cave before talking again "I am going to go visit your mother and we will lock you up young lady, how can you be so ignorant." he said as if stating a fact and not asing a question. Nydia just shook her head and did something she never thought she would, she took several steps backward until she was so near Bellatrix she could smell her and said " Father I am one of them now, there is nothing you can do about it" and she lifted the sleeve of her robe exposing the dark mark that had been branded onto her skin. Sirius shook his head in disbelief "That damn mark on your arm does not make you a Death Eater, being a Death eater is all in your mind set Nydia. You have to have the will to Kill innocent people at random. I dont think you have that in you Nydia, your too much like your Mother." Nydia eyed her Father letting them bore into his soul "Your right I am like my mother, perhaps more than you would know. Now before you tell me I don't have the ability to kill I think you should know I have and I will again without hesitation." Nydia was getting frustrated with her father and without thinking her wand raised in the air. "What are you doing you ungrateful git? You think you could kill me, even if I let you you wouldnt do it because you are a weak minded fool who doesn't have enough will power to make the right Choices in life." he paused to breathe and went on "You and your idiot friends here are weak, so weak you have to hide behind the mask of Lord Voldemort to feel safe. If you cant beat them, join them right? Well guess what you damn fools? He will not hesitate to kill you just like he did Lilly and James and how many other people? He doesnt care that you are his loyal servants. To him all you are are his bitches, he will use you for what he needs and throw you away becuase you can be replaced." Nydia began to open her mouth but someone else beat her to it.

[Aramorta Riddle {HM}]

The laughter instantly died as the dog transformed into a human. All three looked quite surprised at Sirius' actions, as if they couldn't believe he would dare show himself, even if they knew who he was anyway. A crooked smile formed on Bellatrix's face, though she actually bit her tongue and said nothing. The three pairs of eyes flickered back and forth, between Nydia and Sirius, as each spoke. Aramorta's jaw almost dropped along with Sirius' as Nydia openly admitted her allegiance to the Dark Lord. However, she just stared at her friend, scarlet eyes slightly wider than usual. Sure, it was rather obvious now, but she still had not expected it.

Again, Aramorta's mouth nearly fell open as Nydia backed up extremely close to Bellatrix. She had to stop herself from pinching her own arm to make sure it wasn't a dream at her mother's next move. Bellatrix's gaze turned on Nydia, however the look on her face was one of appraisal now, and then she nodded with a wicked grin as she looked back to Sirius. Though, she still said nothing, waiting for the right moment to break in, waiting for them to quit bickering. At Sirius' stream of insults, any sign of amusement vanished from Bellatrix, Aramorta and Zaire's faces.

Aramorta leapt forward, scarlet eyes on fire as she slashed her wand through the air. "CRUCIO!" the scream rang through the cave. Twice. Bellatrix's yell echoed her daughter's. Highly tempted to join in but deciding a double Cruciatus curse was enough, Zaire just stayed back, watching in amusement. Bellatrix let up, not wanting to push his sanity too far quite yet; their conversation was far from over. Aramorta ignored her mother, and instead, strengthened the torture curse, face contorted in rage. "Don't you dare speak that way about my father," she hissed down at the screaming and writhing man. She knew the majority of the insults had been aimed toward them, not him, but still the Dark Lord always came first. With a flick of her wand, the curse lifted as she paced closer, stopping to tower over him. Though she was positive he couldn't get up if he wanted to, one Crucio would have assured that, she kept her wand aimed between his eyes. "I am not weak, nor are they, or any of the other Death Eaters," Ara's voice was dangerously soft, "We are not weak and we do not cower in the Dark Lord's shadow. We support the Dark Lord and his beliefs. We support the right cause, to restore purity and order to the world that you and your Mudbloods, and blood-traitors and muggle-loving fools have fucked up," her slitted nostrils flared and lips pursed for a second, eyes remaining locked on his as she delved deeper into his mind, "Those he kills, he kills with good reason. Those who oppose or betray or fail him, they deserve to die...just like you..." she turned her wrist, changing aim to his heart. "Give me one good reason, say one more word against my father or the rest of my family, and I swear your little Golden Boy Potter will reach this cave to find his beloved godfather no longer breathing."