RP Log: Bellatrix and Gaius
Who: Bellatrix and Gaius Where: Out in Norfolk, on some manor property. What: Gaius gets a lesson in the Bella-school-of-hard-knocks. When: 26 January 1980 Rating: PG-13
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It was with extreme reluctance that Gaius apparated to point nearby the Lestrange Manor. He'd spent a good deal of time trying to rationalize his own decision to face whatever Bellatrix had in store for him rather than apologize publicly with his safety. As much as he told himself that she was only mental and that he had nothing to worry about, he knew that he was placing himself in an extremely precarious position - one that might cause him serious harm. He had, after all, seen extactly what Mrs Lestrange was capable of doing to a person, and knew he was a fool for letting his pride prevent him from preserving his safety. It was that same pride that prevented him from now turning around and going home, but he still had entirely too much time to think as he made his way up the hill toward the Manor.
On the crest of that hill stood Bellatrix, mounted on her Andalusian stallion, with two rangy hounds on either side of her. A tell-tale smirk played at the ends of her bowed lips as she looked upon Gaius with a measure of distaste. Who did this intemperate young man think he was? Well, she would soon see of which metal he was made.
"Mister Travers," she hailed him in a low, thundering voice. Valentine pawed the ground and the hounds got to their feet, every hair along their spine standing like an ebony ridge. "I see you have come for your lesson."
Gaius stopped when he heard the Bellatrix's voice. Though he was nervous, he was determined not to show any sign of fear, so pulled himself up straight and looked as confidently as he could manage up at the woman on horseback.
"I have," he said, tightening his grip on the wand within his robe's pocket. He was prepared - or at least hoped that he was.
With a word to the trio of animals, she dismounted and took three steps beyond them, her wand naked in her bare hand. "You have one last chance to do the intelligent thing, Mister Travers, and make a public apology. Your sister has already begged for your life."
Though he knew that might have been the intelligent thing, Gaius' resolve was growing stronger at the mention of his sister. She'd been the one to remind him that they were a family unflinching in the face of critics and those who questioned their ideals - it was the basis for the beliefs that had led him to become a Death Eater in the first place. And it was also she who had urged him not to apologize.
"No," he said and shook his head. Panic clenched in his throat, but he had made his decision.
"Then I shall show you just how much power a woman can hold." With a swift, grand flourishing of her wand aimed at the centre of his chest, she cast the Cruciatus at such a growl that the hounds whimpered fretfully.
Gaius attempted to draw his wand to conjur a Shield Charm, but was unable to do so quickly enough to block the Cruciatus. He barely knew what had happened, but felt a burning pain surge from his chest out into his extremeties, sending him to his knees as his body went rigid. It was as though his muscles were being strained beyond their capacity by some invisible force. He had never experienced anything that came close to the enormity of the pain caused by the curse - not even being set on fire compared. This was burning, and worse.
"Accio wand!" His wand flew into her hand as she doubled the intensity of the curse, walking ever closer to him until she stood over him with both wands gripped tightly in her fist. Her heel came down hard on his chest and she flicked her wand quickly, giving him a fine cut along the high side of his right cheekbone. Dark magic, that, and unlikely to completely heal overnight. She wanted him to wear his shame.
Mercifully staving off the Cruciatus, she nevertheless dug her heel in more deeply and leaned over his face with a sneer. "Your presumptuous behaviour could cost the Dark Lord his victory. I do not permit errors, Mister Travers. And certainly none from a little slip of a boy such as yourself."
Had Gaius any desire to respond, he wouldn't have been able to do so - his muscles still felt as though they were on fire and her heel in his chest made it hard to catch his breath, let alone speak. His lungs burned and his blood felt as though it were boiling, even as it slid down his cheek from Bellatrix' cut. He stared at his wand in her hand rather than look at her directly. Without it he felt almost helpless and certainly humiliated.
There was a moment of exultation as she saw the helpless terror drift heavy over Gaius's face. Stepping back from him, she stood a pace away and used their combined wands to help drag him to his feet. "Get up!" she barked. "Get up, now!"
A few minutes ago, he might have felt indignant at being told what to do, but after only a few moments of the Cruciatus curse, he could not even muster the energy to take offense. Rather, he stood shakily and faced her again without protest.
Oh, this is what she enjoyed. This pliancy. He would think twice before ever daring to speak out of turn, ever again. With a snap of her fingers, her hounds were at her sides, hackles up and teeth bared menacingly.
"Now it is time to be the fox," she told him almost brightly as she raised his wand high in her hand and tossed it as far afield as she could. "Fetch!"
For a moment, Gaius simply stood and looked in the direction that his wand had been thrown. But it did not take long for the growling of the dogs at her sides and the meaning of her words to register. The muscles in his legs that had been sapped of their energy soon found a new source of power as fear sent adrenaline shooting through his body. He lunged forward, almost stumbling at first, and ran as fast as he could toward his wand.
As he ran further Bellatrix, with a hand to either hound's collar, walked backward until she was again flush to her horse's sleek shoulder. The animals were calmed by a few soft words and her own pride was assuaged by the boy who still ran over her hill. It was a good lesson for him, for all men who dared to defy her power. With a soft, rolling laugh, she placed herself within reach of each animal and Disapparated from view.