Chapter 5 ? And the World Will Bleed Once More

I was going to post this chapter over the weekend, but I decided to just have it up today.

I'd like to thank all of those who have taken the time to read this and leave me such lovely comments.

Thank you to June, who had a time with this one. I promise June, I will never send you a chapter again at four o'clock in the morning. Insomnia isn't pleasant.

Thanks to Whimbley for some of her suggestions.

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Chapter 5 – And the World Will Bleed Once More

At number twelve, Grimmauld Place, Lucius sat on the couch next to Draco. Ginny had performed some temporary healing spells on Lucius so that he might be more comfortable during his talk with the rest of the Order. Any more permanent spells for his recovery would be done in private as any medi-witch or wizard would do for a patient. Feeling that Lucius's recounting of what he'd gone through might be emotional, Minerva suggested that the women leave the room, allowing the wizard a modicum of dignity.

Moody and Shacklebolt stood near the window, keeping an eye on Lucius. Remus sat quietly in a large leather wing back chair next to the fireplace. Harry stood next to Ron, Arthur and Albus. Severus sat on the coffee table in front of Lucius. They were all waiting for the blond wizard to speak.

After a long silence, Lucius realized he still held the key that had brought him to Grimmauld Place. He held it in the upturned palm of his hand and stared.

Draco looked at it and took it from his hand.

"Mother's key," Draco said. He knew that the key belonged to his mother, as he had seen it on several occasions in her jewelry box when he was a young child.

Harry approached the couch to get a better look at the key.

"That's a key to this house." Harry looked to Albus.

"And used as Portkey, it seems," said the old wizard.

"But how?" asked Ron. "This house is protected by a Fidelius Charm; no one can find it unless the Secret-Keeper tells them the address."

"Or unless the person is a member of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black," Lucius interrupted quietly. All eyes were on him now. "The Black family's blood magic supersedes any Unplottable spell and Fidelius Charm if it is performed by the head of the family." Lucius took hold of the key and held it tightly in his hand; he brought it close to his mouth and closed his eyes tightly, wanting just one final time to hold something near him that had been held by his wife. "Phineas Nigellus Black and his wife Ursula Flint Black had five children, four of which received keys to this house. Their second child, Phineas, supported Muggle rights; he was disowned and did not get a key. Their third child was Narcissa's great-grandfather, Cygnus Black. This house was to be the family's safe haven if ever they needed one. In time of emergency, the key is activated and brings the holder here, always here."

"Narcissa had that key with her all these years," said Severus as he looked into Lucius' icy eyes. "She could have come here any time, and she could have brought anyone."

Lucius smiled sadly in return. "But she did not. My wife was smarter than I ever gave her credit for. She knew well before I did the truth about the Dark Lord."

Albus approached the couch and sat on the edge on the far end of Lucius' spot.

"Harry has one such key from Sirius, who kept it after he was disowned, so we have two keys here. Do you know where the other two are, Lucius?"

The location of the other two keys worried all those in the room.

"The other two branches of the family have become estranged or died out, so their keys were redistributed to the remaining relatives. Regulus Black was in possession of one that he carried with him at all times. I can only assume it was with him when he was killed," said Lucius.

Remus then spoke, "No, I've seen a key like that on several occasions at Andromeda's home. I've always thought it strange that it looked so much like Harry's key. I've only seen it from far away, but I'm sure it has the Black family coat of arms."

Arthur now stepped forward. "Regulus must have sent it to Andromeda, knowing he would be killed."

"That's three," said Severus. "Tell me that Bella doesn't have the fourth."

Lucius nodded. "She did."

"Who has it now?" asked Harry nervously.

"She gave it to the Dark Lord years ago, just after the Dementors revolted and freed her and nine other Death Eaters from Azkaban. Her mind was still not fully rational; she gave it to him as some sort of piece of jewelry. I do not recall ever seeing it again."

"Why didn't she use it when she was in Azkaban?" wondered Ron aloud.

"Apparently, the Portkey and Black family magic had not been powerful enough to help her escape Azkaban; perhaps that is why she went insane from trying to use it over the years," explained Severus.

"I believe I have seen it though," said Severus as he struggled to remember. "It hangs on a nail next to the Dark Lord's fireplace." Severus looked at the others. "At least it was there up until two months ago. I was Summoned to his room to give him his stamina potion and I noticed the key ring for the first time. I saw the key from a distance, but couldn't place the crest until now."

"That key needs to be brought back here," said Arthur. "We can't take the chance of him getting too close a look at it. Voldemort will know that's the Black Family crest."

At once, Lucius' arm began to burn; he grabbed it and looked at the others. He was being Summoned; no doubt Voldemort wanted to finish what Narcissa could not. It was possible for Voldemort to summon only a selected few Death Eaters, thinking Severus dead there was no need in wasting his time and summoning him.

"I'm being Summoned and Narcissa is most likely dead," he whispered. Lucius dropped the key he'd still been holding and covered his face with his hands. "Narcissa, forgive me, my wife, forgive me for hating you so all of these years after you left us." A wave of guilt washed over him now that he knew of her sacrifice.

Severus placed his hand on Lucius' shoulder in an effort to comfort him.

"Lucius, don't blame yourself for your feelings. They were a natural reaction for what was done to you. Anyone would have felt betrayed."

Draco sat motionless, knowing all too well what his father felt at the moment. He was too numb to fully realize that his father might be next to die.

With great effort, Lucius stood and began gathering his things. "I cannot avoid my fate forever." He looked at Draco. "If I should not return, you will be receiving a letter from Maximilian. He will tell you what you need to do."

Severus stood next to Lucius now and took hold of his arm in an effort to keep his friend from leaving just yet.

"No, don't leave just yet."

"Severus, you know as well as I do that the next time I Apparate anywhere I will only show up at his home."

"Did he torture you because he knows you did not kill me?" asked Severus.

As Lucius was readying himself to leave it had occurred to Severus that they did not know why the blond wizard had shown up at Order headquarters in the condition he did. Surely Voldemort would have killed him instantly when he found out Lucius had not done his duty and killed Severus.

Lucius shook his head, "No, I was punished for not returning immediately after taking you to Hogwarts."

Albus approached the two men. "Lucius, I believe you are being Summoned then because he has no doubt received word that Severus is indeed dead."

Lucius looked confused.

"Our contact at the Quibbler was able to assist us in the cover-up. Perhaps you are being given a second chance to stay within the ranks and become our spy," stated Severus.

"Then I shall go back." With one final nod to all, Lucius hugged Draco and walked out onto the porch and Apparated from Grimmauld Place. As his father left, Draco felt as though he himself had just died. Harry walked to him and held him tightly, giving him what comfort he could.

~*~*~*~*~*~

After allowing the body of Narcissa Malfoy to drop heavily on the ground, Voldemort stood over her, watching the blood ooze out from her wound. He heard a door opening behind him and turned.

Bellatrix walked in, holding several packages and a copy of the Quibbler in her arms.

"My Lord, I have what you..." Bellatrix slowed her walking as she noticed the motionless and bloody body of her sister on the floor. "I...I have what you asked for, M...My Lord."

"At least there is someone who still follows orders." Voldemort took the packages and paper from Bellatrix's arms, as she stared at her sister. "I trust you will not make the same mistakes as your sister and brother-in-law made?"

Bellatrix blinked several times before turning her face back to Voldemort. "No, I am your servant," she answered, although there was little enthusiasm to her tone.

"Good, now take her out of here." The cold-hearted wizard dropped his packages on his large bed and he began unfolding the paper in his hands.

"What would you have me do with her?"

"Burn her, bury her, I care nothing of what happens to her corpse," he spat. "Just get her out of here before the stench of death fills my sleeping quarters." He began reading the Quibbler, his dead concubine now forgotten.

Bellatrix waved her wand and silently cast a spell to levitate Narcissa's body. She walked out of the bedroom and into the ballroom, passing several other Death Eaters who had been standing outside waiting for their own instructions from the Dark Lord. As they looked upon the still beautiful blond woman's body, their faces were somber and confused. No one said a word as the ever growing chill in the air grew colder by the second.

Bellatrix walked outside to the Riddle family cemetery and lowered Narcissa gently to the ground. She stared down at her sister and at once fell to her knees. Her shaky hand reached out and touched the dead woman's soft cheek.

"Cissy, my beautiful sister." Bella now gripped the limp body and held it close to her own body. "My only solace in this world. Why did you not take me with you?" It had been years since she'd shed a tear for anything or anyone. The sensation of her eyes watering and now flooding with emotion was almost too much for her to bear. Bellatrix hated the world and everything in it, except for two things. Contrary to much belief, Bella cared deeply for Rodolphus. She also loved her sister Narcissa – and now she was gone. Knowing she had a duty to perform, Bellatrix allowed herself one final look at Narcissa, then stood. No doubt she would find out why her sister had been killed. The conversation she'd had earlier with her husband now echoed in her mind as well as her ears.

'If Lucius was condemned to death for such a minor infraction as being late...' Rodolphus had said. What minor infraction did Narcissa commit, Bella wondered.

"Tread lightly, Bellatrix," said the voice of her husband from behind her.

She wiped her nose on her long sleeve and proceeded to dig a hole.

"Excavar," she intoned. Waving her wand in circular patterns, the ground began to bubble slightly, until a hole was formed. Bellatrix took off her outer robe and placed it on Narcissa, and then lowered her sister's body into the unmarked grave. After the dirt was replaced and her sister finally buried, she turned and faced her husband.

"What shall we do, Rodolphus?"

"What can we do?" The wizard looked towards the Riddle home. "We dug our graves when we first took the Dark Mark. There is no turning back for us. We must follow this path we have set for ourselves. We have crossed the Rubicon, my wife, and we must play this game out to the end." Rodolphus looked into her dark eyes. "No matter what the outcome."

Bellatrix nodded as her husband took her by the arm.

"Come, he is waiting for you." Rodolphus felt her stiffen. "No, not for that," he said. "Severus is dead. There is an article in the Quibbler. We are all being Summoned," he sighed deeply, "It is time for the world to bleed once more."

'But with whose blood?' wondered Bellatrix as she took one last look at her sister's grave.

~*~*~*~*~

I'd originally planned on having more Severus and Lucius interaction, but my plot for this chapter took a turn. I promise there will be more of the two men in the next chapter.

Bella's and Rodolphus' relationship: Since we really don't know much about this I decided that Bella may or my not love her husband completely, but she does care for him deeply, so I wanted to show them as having a good solid comfort level.

Also, I couldn't find information on whether a Summoning affects every DE or just a select few, so I chose to use the latter theory.

I also opted to use a Spanish word instead of Latin, seeing as JKR herself has admited her spells and words are a mix of what she herself made up and Latin and I believe another language I can't remember right now.

Excavar - excavate

Thank you for reading this. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.