The Broken Witch & The Boy With the Silver Sword
Keith stood before the trembling woman.
Her clothes were torn, her body emaciated, her lips cracked.
Slowly, he lowered himself and sat in front of her.
Without a word, he took out a wrapped piece of chocolate and held it out.
The woman's shaking fingers accepted it as if it were a priceless treasure.
She devoured it desperately, tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
Keith spoke gently.
"What's your name?"
She swallowed hard, voice hoarse.
"…Bellatrix. Bellatrix Black."
Keith froze.
Bellatrix Black.
The Daily Prophet had painted her as a monster—the most fanatic Death Eater, hiding somewhere in Europe.
Yet the woman before him looked nothing like the infamous criminal.
She looked like a victim.
Because she was one.
Keith's eyes narrowed.
He activated his ultimate skill.
"Raphael. Scan her memories."
A soft reply echoed.
[Yes, Master. Transferring mental record…]
The flood of memories struck him like a tidal wave.
Pain.
Torture.
Screaming.
Bellatrix strapped to chairs, cutting curses carving into her flesh.
Experiments by Death Eaters—some laughing, some disgusted, but all obeying.
Voldemort himself twisting her mind and body, trying to shape her into a perfect weapon.
Then—something unexpected.
Dumbledore healing her wounds in secret.
Arthur Weasley smuggling medicine to her cell.
Molly Weasley sneaking her food.
Amelia Bones forging documents to hide traces of her torture.
A few members of the Order of the Phoenix tried to help her escape…
Only to be killed.
Blamed on her.
Framed as a traitor.
The truth hit Keith so hard he couldn't breathe.
Tears fell before he realized it.
Bellatrix blinked in shock.
She reached toward his cheek with trembling fingers.
"D… did you see…?"
He didn't answer.
He simply pulled her into a gentle, protective embrace.
Bellatrix froze.
No one had ever held her like this—softly, kindly.
Keith whispered against her hair:
"You're safe now."
That single sentence shattered the last wall she'd built around her heart.
Bellatrix sobbed—raw, broken, and desperate—burying her face in his chest as years of agony spilled out.
Keith held her tighter, stroking her long, tangled hair.
He didn't let go until her crying slowed.
Bellatrix pulled back, blushing, wiping her tears.
"…What's your name?"
Keith offered a small smile.
"Keith Argus Runcandel."
Her eyes widened.
She had seen that name countless times in the Daily Prophet.
The prodigy businessman.
The heir of a rising global empire.
The boy wizard whose name caused Ministers to sweat.
For the first time in many years, Bellatrix felt… safe.
Keith stood and extended his hand.
"Bellatrix… if you have nowhere to go, work for me."
"I'll give you a place to sleep. Warm food. Safety."
"A home."
Her breath hitched.
Home.
A word she thought was forever denied to her.
With trembling resolve, she placed her hand in his.
"…I'll follow you."
Keith squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Then he took out Yamato.
A single slash tore reality open.
A glowing portal expanded in front of them.
Bellatrix gasped, stunned at the breathtaking sight.
Keith gave her a gentle tug.
"Let's go home."
And together—
Keith with Nagini coiled behind him,
Bellatrix gripping his hand as if he were the only solid thing left in this world—
They stepped through the portal.