Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.K. Rowling's characters or ideas.

Chapter 1

The Task

Pale hands pressed their palms down on the smooth counter, gripping at its hard surface. Dark eyes stared tiredly into the mirror at her reflection. The face that had once been alive and livid out of loyalty to her master was now beginning to tire. She reminisced back to her time at Hogwarts. Then, she had been beautiful. Look what Azkaban had done to her, both physically and mentally. She was one of the few who remained loyal to her master, and how did he repay her? No… stop thinking these things… you don't deserve to be treated well. You failed him! She cursed aloud at herself, her blood boiling at the thought of Harry Potter. The measly boy had no power at all. And yet she had lost to him. She had failed her master in the one simple task she had been assigned. He had made her pay for that.

Growling softly beneath her breath, she exited the bathroom and slowly made her way to her bed. Laying down upon it, she stared up at the ceiling. How had she failed? The picture of the scrawny boy with unruly hair hadn't left her mind. It had haunted her for the last year. He taunted her, jeering at her simple mistakes. If only she hadn't focused so much on her cousin, she might have been able to get the Prophecy.

Her mind traveled back to her master, the Dark Lord. He knew she was one of his most loyal servants, and though he punished her like the rest, he knew she would be given the more important assignments. Within the last year though, it seemed He had done little. Since the Department of Mysteries incident, he had spent much time alone, plotting his next move Bella figured. And yet, Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts had come and gone, and they had made no attempt to kill or weaken him. Why give the scrawny boy time to train? Why not finish him now and be over with it? She dared not voice her opinion to Him though. If she did, she would be punished most severely.

Just then, she heard a knock on the door. Her pale face filled with liveliness once more. This must mean He had a job for her to do. Eagerness filled her body, and she couldn't help but give a soft chuckle as she pictured herself torturing Harry Potter and his friends. I'll get you widdle Potter…

Opening the door, she found Wormtail standing before her. He motioned for her to follow her, and she did so, knowing he was leading her to the Dark Lord. She was shaking with the anticipation of finally getting revenge on Harry Potter. She had waited for this moment for over a year. What she didn't know was that her mission wasn't at all what she was expecting.

She entered the dark room and bowed down before the shady figure, piercing red slits staring at her with a menacing look.

"Bella," he said, his tone harsh and demanding, "You are one of my most faithful servants, which is why I have assigned you this task."

Bellatrix was shimmering with both excitement and anxiety now. "I am eager to serve you, My Lord," Her voice displaying her eagerness.

"Quiet and listen," he snapped angrily, and Bella quickly pressed her lips together in silence. As if approving of this, he then continued, "Your task is not a usual one, but I know you will be eager to help in bringing the demise of Harry Potter." Her head bobbed up and down, but she dared not speak. "And so, you will be going undercover as a Hogwarts student and spying on him for us."

Her jaw dropped open in surprise. Her? A student at Hogwarts? Inside, she was opposed to what he was saying, but on the outside she did her best to remain calm and collective. "Yes Master," she managed, bowing her head, "I will do whatever you wish of me."

"As I knew you would," he said simply, his voice lacking much sincerity. "I have prepared a potion for you, which will de-age you. When you drink this whole flask, your looks will return to that of when you were in your seventh year at Hogwarts. I will make sure you get into the Gryffindor house. You are to befriend Harry Potter and his friends. Fit in with them as best as possible, and find out as much as you can about them and their plans."

She nodded, still filled with disbelief. She wanted action, and this is what she got? Why not just kill him? The Dark Lord then continued, handing her the flask. "Drink this tonight. Tomorrow you will board the Hogwarts Express with the rest of the students. I have arranged for your supplies to be purchased today in Diagon Alley, and have already gotten you a spot in the Gryffindor house. Your name will be Aurelia Sanders, a half-blood who was originally homeschooled." He then handed her a ticket for the train. "Don't harm him Bella." He paused. "That is all."

Taking the flask and ticket, she bowed once more and backed away from him before leaving the room. She found herself having trouble in calming herself. Befriending widdle Potter? She had no idea how she'd be able to handle it.

Pushing the door open to her room, she sat down on her bed and sighed softly to herself. Grumbling under her breath, she continued to remind herself of her loyalty to the Dark Lord. He must have something planned… Don't bail out now. Of course, He must have something brilliant up his sleeve. This was her chance to prove herself. Once they won the war, she would come out on top as one of His most faithful servants.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the flask and drank its contents. She didn't even flinch at its horrible taste. Setting the flask down on the table, she looked down at herself. She still looked the same. It must take a while for its effects to sink in. Laying down, she lifted the covers over her body and shut her eyes. Tomorrow, she'd finally begin in getting her revenge on Potter, no matter how slow the process would be.

Sleepy eyes opened the next morning, taking in her surroundings. Yawning, Bella sat up and rubbed her eyes. She felt… different somehow. It was something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Pushing the covers off herself, she got up and walked into the bathroom. Leaning forward over the sink, she turned on the water and splashed her face. Looking up at her reflection, her jaw dropped. Suddenly the events from the previous night all seemed to flash through her mind. I'm beautiful…

All traces of the pale and tired woman she had been the night before were now gone. Her dark hair was silky once again. The pale, skull-like face was young again, color once again filling her rosy cheeks. Lifting a hand, she timidly ran it through her hair. For the first time in a long while, she smiled a true smile.

It quickly faded, changing to a frown as she remembered what she was leaving to do today. She still was wondering how she was going to be able to put up with this. Sighing, she pushed the thought aside and began to get ready for the big day ahead of her. A wicked smile curled onto her face as she thought of Harry Potter's still, lifeless body.

Once Bella had finished her shower and had shrunken her clothes to fit her slender body, she heard a knock at the door. She slipped the clothes on quickly and unbolted the door, opening it and beckoning the man who was standing there inside. "Here's your school trunk. It's got the uniform, books, and all the supplies you need. Good luck." With a curt nod, he left her room, shutting the door behind him.

Slipping on her robe, Bella opened the trunk and checked its contents. Everything seemed to be there. She could do this. Don't harm him Bella… His voice seemed to chant over and over in her head. This was her chance to show her master that she could control herself. She wouldn't harm him. She'd do as she had been ordered. Bellatrix Lestrange was not about to fail Him. Not again.

With a loud pop, she vanished.

A/N: I know it's odd, but I wanted to make something unique. Review please! Suggestions and constructive criticism are welcome!