A/N- Written for TuesdayNovember's "Time" Challenge on xoxLewrahxox's Bellatrix Lestrange: The Dark Lord's Most Faithful forum.

What with arguing, the Inquisitorial Squad, Umbridge, centaurs, a very long thestral-back flight, and quite a bit of browsing through the Department of Mysteries, Harry and co really kept the Death Eaters waiting. How inconsiderate of them.

500 words exactly :)

Patience

They arrived at half past five. The atrium of the ministry was busy, most of its employees leaving for the afternoon, and no one paid the slightest attention to the two tall, hooded figures moving in the opposite direction, as they strolled casually to the lift and descended to the lowest floor. The rest of the ministry was deserted and they passed no one on the lower floors until, after making their way through a bizarre collection of rooms full of all manner of incomprehensible things, they reached the Hall of Prophecy.

"Rodolphus. Bellatrix," Lucius Malfoy said, nodding curtly at each of them in greeting. "I trust you encountered no difficulties?"

"None whatsoever," Rodolphus replied. He was surprised at just how easy it had been. He and his wife were wanted criminals; they must have passed a dozen posters bearing their own faces on their way down, and yet they had encountered not the slightest hint of suspicion. The Dark Lord had told them security would be lax, with the Ministry so stubbornly insisting that there was nothing to fear.

"The Dark Lord always knows," Rodolphus heard his wife mutter, the words having become a kind of mantra to her. Despite his master's assurance, Rodolphus had still felt a little apprehensive about walking straight into the Ministry during the day. Bellatrix hadn't.

The last of the Death Eaters arrived shortly before six, and they then moved into the shadows and waited.

Seven o'clock came and went and Rodolphus began to drum his fingers impatiently against his thigh. Bellatrix's eyes never once moved from the door.

By eight o'clock, Rodolphus was beginning to wonder whether the boy was coming at all. Bellatrix's lips curled slightly in disgust at his impatient sigh, but still she did not move.

"Surely the boy should be here by now?" he murmured, too bored to care that he sounded like an impatient child.

"The Dark Lord said that he may have some difficulties getting here," she hissed under her breath, eyes still fixed on the entrance. "He will come."

It was almost nine o'clock and Rodolphus' shoulders had grown stiff. Since escaping Azkaban, he had remained cooped up indoors, for fear of being recaptured and now, his first chance to actually do something, it seemed nothing would happen. He had to admire his wife's patience.

Then again, she had waited for over fourteen years in Azkaban, never once doubting the Dark Lord. Rodolphus could swear time and time again that he had done the same, but he knew it was a lie. He had had his doubts from the moment his master had disappeared, and it had taken only a few weeks amongst the Dementors for him to forget why he was there at all.

Suddenly the door opened and Bellatrix's eyes widened, her lips twisting into a manic smile, at the sight of a small huddle of teenagers. Without a word she disillusioned herself and stalked silently to row ninety-seven, Rodolphus close on her heels.