This is written for the Hogwart's Games 'Shot Put' Round Two where I had to write a Bellamort fic of exactly 500 words. This is also for the OTP Boot Camp with the prompt 'fear' and the Favourite Character Boot Camp with the prompt 'crazy'.

)o(

Lord Voldemort was not someone who was accustomed to labelling someone as strange or remarkable. He normally found it quite simple to put each person in one category or group to categorise them to determine what type of person they were.

Even he could admit, Bellatrix Lestrange was an exception.

He had risen to his almighty power and with that power it had caused respect and fear to reverberate around him. He spread terror in the hearts of allies and enemies. It did not bother him in the slightest; it was just a sign that they were aware of his might and what he could do. Only a fool would think that love or kindness was a necessary motivator.

For a reason that had remained a mystery to him, she did not fear him.

Tightening his hand around her swan like neck, he squeezed down hard watching her gasp and her veins vibrate rapidly in her stress to keep oxygen flowing to her brain. However, despite the obvious fact that death was only another thirty seconds away, she did not flinch. She only stared up at him with awe and passion while she leaned in towards him.

He growled under his breath and slammed her against the wall. She did not so much as whimper or change her disposition.

"Are you crazy?" he hissed his cool breath brushing against her face. "Do you really think I won't hurt you?"

Obviously it was impossible for someone who was being suffocated to answer so he reluctantly loosened his grip on her neck, though he continued to painfully dig his nails into her tender flesh.

"You may do what you will," she murmured her voice breathy and faint from his previous hold on her neck. "I would never question your actions so how could I fear what you do?"

He wanted his Death Eaters to be absolutely loyal. It was what he preferred, but he could not understand how anyone could be so absolutely faithful when it negatively impacted them. He could have killed her and she did not seem concerned.

Slamming his knee into her stomach, he released his hold on her and watched her crumble. "You lie. You fear death."

Lifting her head, she looked up at him and smiled. "Not by your hand, Master. Never if it was your will."

Her mind was willing and he slid inside using Legilimency making one thing clear; she was not lying.

"You're mad," he murmured again as he rose his wand. She did not twitch even if a curse could have signalled her death. "Crucio."

The Cruciatus Curse racked and reverberated through her body. She did not as whimper as cry.

He did not pity her. He was not even upset.

He was only curious.

He loathed not being able to understand something that should have been simple, yet, as he lifted the curse, her reaction was just as impossible. Despite the torture, a smile was painted on her lips.

It was illogical.