Some call her mad. Some call her ruthless. Some call her His most loyal. But she prefers to just be called Bellatrix. Join me this month for an exciting Chatting with... Bellatrix Lestrange.
Have you ever wanted to know more about the Dark Lord's best lieutenant? Well, wait no more! I had the honor of interviewing Madam Lestrange recently. Many of you may know her as the Dark Lord's right-hand man - er, woman. She's a Death Eater, a wife, a daughter, and a sister. Born into the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, Bellatrix Lestrange (née Black) is the eldest daughter born to Cygnus and Druella Black. She has two - correction - one younger sister[*], Narcissa Malfoy (née Black). She attended Hogwarts and was sorted into our illustrious house, Slytherin. Sometime after Hogwarts, she married Rodolphus Lestrange. Both Bellatrix and her husband serve the Dark Lord in his rise to power.
Madam Lestrange joins me now wearing her signature style - a black corset long-sleeved gown. Curls wild and her expression reserved. We are at an undisclosed location, and the interview begins.
Serenity Black: Madam Lestrange, I want to thank you for taking the time out of your, what I'm sure is a very busy schedule, and allowing me to interview you for Slytherin house's paper - the Slytherin Obscene Underground Paper. SOUP for short.
Bellatrix Lestrange: Please call me Bellatrix, Madam Lestrange is my mother-in-law! (She said the last part jokingly)
SB: Bellatrix, as one of the first Death Eaters as well as one of the very few women in the ranks, do you feel you have to work harder than the male Death Eaters?
BL: I do work harder than the rest of them. I'm His favorite for a reason. I don't feel like I have to work harder, I want to work harder. I don't want to fail my lord - ever! I will say that when I first joined the ranks, I took on more than the others. I wanted to prove myself worthy. That I wasn't just a damsel. That I was a fierce warrior and would do anything to assist with The Dark Lord's rise to power!
SB: Your husband works with you. Is that ever challenging?
BL: I would say it has never caused issues. We both have the same mission and serve the same lord. If there's ever been any issue with us working together, it definitely did not come from my side.
SB: You said earlier that you knew early on you were a warrior, did you always know you wanted to be a warrior for a cause?
BL: I always knew that I was meant to be more than a housewife who's only job is to rear perfect Pureblood babies. I knew that wasn't the life I wanted. It's perfect for Cissy, my sister Narcissa. It just wasn't something I wanted ... I was always rebellious in a way. Never to the point where I'd disgrace my family's name, though! Merlin knows there are enough with the Black name that have disgraced our legacy already. I always fought against what was expected of me. To be honest, I did not even know what it was that I wanted. I just knew it was not what everyone else wanted of me.
SB: So, when did you find out what your purpose was?
BL: When I met Him. The first time I heard The Dark Lord speak, I sensed he would be someone special. He had a way with words, a certain charisma about him. I knew at that moment, I'd follow him to the end of the universe.
SB: I'm sure that was surprising to you?
BL: I don't know if I would say surprising. More like - I wasn't alone in all the things I had believed in and wanted. There was someone else with the same views and beliefs I had, especially about wizarding society. This someone was not afraid or ashamed to openly discuss their views.
SB: You mean blood purity?
BL: Wouldn't you say that is a bit heavy of a subject for a bunch of school children? Especially those under the watchful eye of a certain headmaster?
SB: Apologies. Let's move on then. What was your favorite class at Hogwarts?
BL: *she laughs* Well, that question was a complete 180 from the previous subject! To answer your question, little one, I excelled at Charms.
SB: If you could give advice to those in their final year of Hogwarts, what would it be?
BL: Become who you want to be, not who they want you to be.
SB: They?
BL: Your parents, friends, professors. Anyone that pushes you to be someone you truly know you aren't.
SB: I know you're very busy, and I'm sure you have things to do, but before we wrap this up, is it okay if we play a game of rapid-fire questions/words? I ask you a question or say a word and you tell me the first response that comes to your mind.
BL: Oh! This ought to be very interesting!
SB: Ready?
BL: Ready!
SB: Favorite color?
BL: Black.
SB: Favorite spell?
BL: *grins mischievously*
SB: Morning or Night?
BL: Night.
SB: Worst fear?
BL: Disappointing my master.
SB: What do you dislike the most?
BL: Muggles.
SB: Nickname?
BL: Bella.
SB: Your hair?
BL: Unruly.
SB: Friends?
BL: Unnecessary.
SB: Family?
BL: Will always find a way to disappoint you.
SB: Children?
BL: Weakness.
SB: Sacred Twenty-Eight?
BL: Sacred.
SB: and last…Slytherin?
BL: Pride.
SB: I have so many more questions that I would love to ask you, but I know your time is limited and you must get back to your cause. I want to thank you again for your time, Madam Lestrange. It was truly a pleasure meeting and speaking with you!
BL: *nods* Good day!
She left with a quiet POP as she disapparated.
Well my fellow snakes, that is it for this month's "Chatting with..." This is Serenity Black signing off!
[*] Cygnus and Druella Black had three daughters. Their middle daughter has been burned off the family tapestry and Madam Lestrange has requested that she not be mentioned. Narcissa is her only sister.