Defensive War
This was my challenge from the Random Harry Potter Fic Challenge:
Bellatrix Black Lestrange and Minerva McGonagall :: knife :: Herculean tasks
Defensive War
Minerva corners her in a corridor on the fourth level of the Ministry of Magic. Bellatrix is breathing heavily but she's grinning and her wand is pointed straight at Minerva's heart. She feels a twinge; four stunning spells, the flash of red in the dark night. Her own wand is pointed at Bellatrix, unwavering. Bellatrix lets out a shrill laugh, but neither of them moves.
"Well, well, Minerva, dear, look where we've ended up."
"Why did I know you were going to say that?"
"You didn't like the letters I sent?" Bellatrix's smile widens.
"The thinly veiled invitations to join the Death Eaters or be killed by one?" There had been several of them, threats woven between flirtations, all printed neatly in Bellatrix's crisp handwriting.
"They weren't thinly veiled," Bellatrix coos, dipping her head so that her hair obscures part of her face. "I really did hope you'd join me for dinner first."
"You're insane."
"I always knew we were destined to share a moment like this. Two equals in a stand off."
"I'd hardly say we were equals," Minerva bites out.
Bellatrix sweeps back her hair. "Yes, I am quite a bit younger."
There's a distant crash but Minerva does not look away. Albus, she thinks, get Harry out of here. Harry remains her first thought in these increasingly frequent encounters with Voldemort's followers. Harry has already conquered more than Herculean tasks on behalf of the Order, but she cannot forget that he is still a child. And she cannot forget that he isn't the only one in the Order who can fight.
"What are you thinking, Minerva?"
"Why do you keep saying my name as though we know each other?" It was her professor's voice; clipped, stern.
"Oh, but we do know each other. I'm proof that evil is in even the pure blood of the children. I'm every bad student you've ever had."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Minerva says, and Bellatrix's lips twitch. "You were an excellent student."
Bellatrix growls, and makes a jabbing motion forward, but she speaks no spell. Then she laughs again. "Oh, Minerva, goddess of wisdom, how does it feel to be an old woman in this war?"
Bellatrix lunges at her, calling out Avada Kedavra, and Minerva isn't sure whether to be frightened or flattered that Bellatrix is going straight for the kill. She dodges the spell and the black arc of Bellatrix's body, and as Bellatrix falls to the floor, Minerva reaches for the thin silver knife tucked into her boot. She jabs it into Bellatrix’s chest before she has the chance to get up, and Bellatrix looks surprised as she collapses.
"I feel fine," Minerva says, and Apparates back to the heart of the battle.
Bellatrix Black Lestrange and Minerva McGonagall :: knife :: Herculean tasks
Defensive War
Minerva corners her in a corridor on the fourth level of the Ministry of Magic. Bellatrix is breathing heavily but she's grinning and her wand is pointed straight at Minerva's heart. She feels a twinge; four stunning spells, the flash of red in the dark night. Her own wand is pointed at Bellatrix, unwavering. Bellatrix lets out a shrill laugh, but neither of them moves.
"Well, well, Minerva, dear, look where we've ended up."
"Why did I know you were going to say that?"
"You didn't like the letters I sent?" Bellatrix's smile widens.
"The thinly veiled invitations to join the Death Eaters or be killed by one?" There had been several of them, threats woven between flirtations, all printed neatly in Bellatrix's crisp handwriting.
"They weren't thinly veiled," Bellatrix coos, dipping her head so that her hair obscures part of her face. "I really did hope you'd join me for dinner first."
"You're insane."
"I always knew we were destined to share a moment like this. Two equals in a stand off."
"I'd hardly say we were equals," Minerva bites out.
Bellatrix sweeps back her hair. "Yes, I am quite a bit younger."
There's a distant crash but Minerva does not look away. Albus, she thinks, get Harry out of here. Harry remains her first thought in these increasingly frequent encounters with Voldemort's followers. Harry has already conquered more than Herculean tasks on behalf of the Order, but she cannot forget that he is still a child. And she cannot forget that he isn't the only one in the Order who can fight.
"What are you thinking, Minerva?"
"Why do you keep saying my name as though we know each other?" It was her professor's voice; clipped, stern.
"Oh, but we do know each other. I'm proof that evil is in even the pure blood of the children. I'm every bad student you've ever had."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Minerva says, and Bellatrix's lips twitch. "You were an excellent student."
Bellatrix growls, and makes a jabbing motion forward, but she speaks no spell. Then she laughs again. "Oh, Minerva, goddess of wisdom, how does it feel to be an old woman in this war?"
Bellatrix lunges at her, calling out Avada Kedavra, and Minerva isn't sure whether to be frightened or flattered that Bellatrix is going straight for the kill. She dodges the spell and the black arc of Bellatrix's body, and as Bellatrix falls to the floor, Minerva reaches for the thin silver knife tucked into her boot. She jabs it into Bellatrix’s chest before she has the chance to get up, and Bellatrix looks surprised as she collapses.
"I feel fine," Minerva says, and Apparates back to the heart of the battle.