I Own nothing! I am just a hopeless fan =D
In this fanfic, I am imagining the characters to look like the actors and actresses that play them in the movies. this dominantly a BellaMort fanfic, but will include Rodolphus later on.
please enjoy! :)
"The Dark Lord? Here? Tonight?"
"Yes Druella, which is what I just said!"
"But what does he want? What is he after?"
On the top step of the elegant stairs sat a young witch, with thick, shiny black hair and the famous 'Black's good looks'. She sat perfectly still, listening to the conversation between her parents downstairs. She could hear the note of hysteria in her mother's voice and was curious as to both why she was frightened and why the Dark Lord was coming to their home that very night.
"He's heard about our Bella". There was some pride in the man's voice as he spoke.
"Bella? No. She is too young Cygnus!"
Bellatrix cringed as her mother called her too young. She had just graduated from Hogwarts for Merlin's sake! She could do things grown wizards and witches could only dream about ever doing. Her age was an attribute, not something to dismiss.
"She is ready! He has come looking for her! The Dark Lord himself! It's an honour. You know he will be pleased with her."
"Cygnus, please, cancel! Our Bella... She can't... why condemn her to this fate?"
"Condemn her? You think she will be safer as his foe as opposed to his ally? He will want her Druella, and Narcissa too".
Bellatrix raised a slender brow and slid down to the next step to hear better. She had spoken at Hogwarts about one day joining the Dark Lord, but had never dreamed that he would come looking for her! She had expected him to send her away, as she was a woman, but she knew she could impress him.
"No! Narcissa? She isn't even of age! Let them be children please!"
"He is not after Narcissa, but when she is older no doubt she'll join her sister don't you think?"
"But-"
"Druella! I will be there with her at every meeting! Have faith in our daughter!"
Hearing footsteps leading from the kitchen and into the living area, Bella stood up and moved into her room and plonked herself on her bed.
The Dark Lord wanted her, he of all people, knew of her very existence! The very thought made her skin crawl with pride. She knew she would please him. She would devote herself to anything he asked of her. She had never met the Dark Lord, but of course knew of him. He had been gathering followers and had asked for her.
"Bella? Are you decent?"
"Yes, come in" Bella answered smoothly at her father's question. She sat up straight as her father entered the room, a proud look on his face.
Bella watched him, her face bleached of any emotion. He smiled at her, before taking a seat beside her on her bed.
"I have some wonderful news, though your mother doesn't see it the way I do". He started, his eyes glowing with proud disbelief as he took her strong cheekbone in his hand.
"What is it?" Bellatrix asked, showing no hint of the fact that she had overheard the argument down stairs.
"The Dark Lord is coming. Here! Tonight. He wishes to meet you Bella. I have told him so much about you and he wants to meet you for himself." He indulged in his daughter with delight.
Bellatrix remained cool and collected, though gently moved away from her father's touch.
"Why does Mother disapprove? Surely this is a good thing?" She asked; her face still emotionless. The smile crept from Cygnus' face at her question and he gave a large sigh.
"Your mother... She doesn't think you are old enough for this. I admit, it is not a commitment to take lightly, but you're a strong witch Bella. It would be foolish for your powers to waste away, unchallenged and un appreciated. He could use you Bella. You'd be an asset to him, I know it."
Bella listened, though didn't let the excitement grace her face.
"Do I have a choice in this Father? What if I do not wish to join him?" She taunted, tilting her head to the side, her thick black curls spilling over her slender shoulder. The smile stripped from Cygnus' face as he looked at her with dismay. Bella grinned her devilish grin, showing her true emotion to his news finally. Cygnus gave a sigh of relief and a small laugh as he pushed his greying hair out of his eyes.
"It would be unwise to deny the Dark Lord. You know that".
Bella smirked at her father's response as she stood up and paced her room in thought.
"When will he get here? What do I need to do to impress him?" She asked, her eagerness to join the Dark Lord extremely evident now. Her father beamed with pride at his daughter. He knew she would be a great asset to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
"He will arrive tonight at nine. Sharp. He will want you to demonstrate your skills in combat and he will interrogate you. He has a keen sense of what people are like Bella. Know that. He will see through any lie and punish you greatly for it. Do not be rude, but do not be pathetic. If he takes you, make sure you obey his every command."
Never one to miss anything, Bellatrix frowned at this.
"If he takes me? What do you mean if? I thought he was after me" Bella asked, her brows furrowed in thought.
Cygnus sighed.
"I told him he would want you, he is curious, but he is coming to see you for himself." Her father admitted with less pride in his voice now. Bell scowled and crossed her arms. So the Dark Lord had not planned on seeking her himself. He was asked by her father to consider her.
"Well I will make sure not to disappoint".
As it neared 9pm, Bella took her time getting ready. She had pinned her luscious curls up and out of her face, while leaving the back to cascade down past her shoulders. She wore dark red lipstick which seemed to fill her thin lips and dark eye shadow which both together, made her skin paler and glow against her makeup and hair. Druella had hustled up stairs and chosen something for Bella to wear when the Dark Lord arrived much to her dislike. She was a woman, and knew how to dress herself.
The dress her mother had chosen was a long sleeved, green dress that fell to the floor. The dress offered little areas to show skin, which was proven with the high neck line and well covered back. Bella snorted at the choice and threw the dress into her wardrobe once more. She knew what she wanted to wear, and after pulling out the dressed she wanted, Bella took the time to admire it.
Bella skilfully changed into the tight dress and admired herself in the mirror. The dress –as she knew it would- fit perfectly. It was a black, floor length dress that clung to her body like a silky, second skin; however the dress flowed looser from the hips down, with a slit up the side of her right leg. As it was tight, it showed quite a lot of cleavage, with assistance of the deep v neck that was tied corset like at the bottom of the v with black thread. The back was open and showed off the perfect well in her back as well as her prominent shoulder blades. The back too was criss-crossed in a loose corset like fashion down to her back with the same black ribbon.
Although she was only seventeen, she looked at least twenty-one, with her defiant expression, height and strikingly good looks. Her height was accentuated again as she slid on her black heeled boots. She was ready, and even though she knew she should have been nervous or scared, she wasn't. She felt like her life had only one purpose, which was to serve the Dark Lord. The fear that was creeping into the wizardry world by him had her mesmerised already. She had been fascinated with him since the first time she heard of him. She knew she had potential and she would show everything she had to offer to him.
"Girls! Quickly! He will be here soon!" Cried Cygnus from downstairs.
"Coming!" Bella called back lazily, though in unison with her baby sister –Cissy- who did not sound so confident.
Bella lingered in her room a little longer, listening to her sister's rapid decent down the stairs. Unlike Bella, Narcissa was too young to use magic outside of school, so she didn't have the pleasure of apparating when she wanted to.
"Bella! Quickly! You will not bode well for yourself if you are late!"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes as she dawdled out of her room. She didn't want to anger the Dark Lord, but she would not be made to wait for him like a puppy, not at least until he approved of her. She would be polite, but she would not be fake. There weren't many people she considered her equal (she was a Black after all!) and she would let him know that. He was more than her equal, she knew, but she would not stand around and act as pitiful as the scum below her. Besides, she had an impression to make. She wanted to be confident, mature and powerful. She wanted him to take her as one of his followers.
"Druella he's here! Bella! Hurry Up! ... My Lord.. Do come in".
Hearing the door opening and the welcome message from her father, Bellatrix finally descended the stairs. Her eyes locked on the handsome man in the door way, but her face remained emotionless.
"It is an honour my lord to have you here in the Noble House of Black." Cygnus added as he bowed deeply before the Dark Lord.
"Where is this child of yours Cygnus?" Voldemort asked in a voice that was barely louder than a whisper. As soon as the words left his lips, the Dark Lord's eyes fixed on the woman descending the stairs.
Her beauty startled him, as well as her almost arrogant posture. Never did one dare act arrogantly in front of him.
Voldemort smirked at Bella and tilted his head down slightly in greeting, before turning back to Cygnus harshly.
"She is barely of age Cygnus; I am not after a child. I need warriors." He muttered, not bothered by the fact that Bellatrix had heard him.
Bella glowered at the comment, but held her tongue. She was a woman and would not be called a child.
At that moment, Druella bustled into the room with Narcissa, who was dressed in a dark blue dress which complimented her fairness as well as her eyes. Both Mother and daughter had the same frightened look in their eyes, however only Narcissa was shaking. She had to really concentrate to hold the tray of drink still.
"My Lord, if you will". Druella offered as she motioned for him to take a glass of Oat Mead from the tray in Narcissa's hands.
Voldemort nodded his head in thanks as he lead himself to the living quarters in the next room. Druella, Cygnus and Narcissa followed immediately, though Bellatrix lingered behind.
"My Lord, Bella is capable of great things! She-"
"If she is so talented, then she can tell me herself. Now, join me at the table", Voldemort interrupted coolly. Normally Cygnus would not stand for someone telling him to sit in his own house, but the Dark Lord was definitely an exception. Sitting beside his wife, who was between him and Narcissa, Cygnus watched with disapproval as Bella took a seat on the other side of the table.
"Well let's get to it then. How old are you Bellatrix?" Voldemort asked in his hauntingly quiet voice.
"Seventeen My Lord" She answered simply, taking a glass of mead from the tray in the middle of the table.
"And why of all the grown witches and wizards in the world, would I take a child to become a member of my faithful Death Eaters?" He asked in the same tone.
Both her parents and Narcissa remained silent as Bellatrix gazed at her glass with mere interest, tilting the liquid from side to side in the glass.
"Why indeed My Lord, you tell me. You are here, after all to meet me are you not?" She challenged, though her voice was filled with appropriate respect.
Cygnus glared at Bella, though she ignored him, her dark eyes boring into Voldemort's. The Dark Lord narrowed his eyes as he smirked, leaning back in his chair. He gave an impressed laugh as he considered Bella with heightened interest.
"You dare back chat me?" He asked simply.
"Of course not My Lord, I am here to prove that I will serve you with more loyalty than you could dare to imagine. I am merely denying the idea that you don't know why you're here talking to me". She answered, taking a sip of her mead, her eyes never leaving his.
He was older than her, and appeared to be in his early forties; however he was still extremely handsome. His eyes were a brilliant silver, which featured well with his jet black hair that he had slicked back for the occasion.
"Tell me, where is your sister?"
Bellatrix looked honestly surprised by this question.
"Cissy? She's right there-"
"No, your other sister."
Bellatrix narrowed her eyes slightly.
"She is out. She did not deserve to be here in your presence My Lord. She has been caught fraternizing with a mudblood." She answered with disgust. Andromeda was indeed missing from the table, however she had not been banished like Bellatrix had implied. She had opted not to be there to meet the Dark Lord, and no one stopped her. Bella knew she would not behave in front of the Dark Lord and didn't want to risk angering him with her around. Narcissa cast Bella a nervous glance, but she didn't act as if she saw it.
"What wand do you possess?"
"Walnut and dragon heartstring, 12 & 3/4 inches, unyielding". She answered simply, as if bored. Voldemort nodded thoughtfully, before taking a long drain of his mead. He nodded his head at Druella as he sat the glass back down.
"I would hope you know how to use it", Voldemort jeered. Bella shot an indignant look at him.
"Why of course."
"Then show me your patronous."
Bellatrix smirked and gave a small laugh.
"Oh and I thought you were actually going to ask something challenging!" She taunted as she lazy withdrew her wand. She had mastered the art of non-verbal magic, so of course did not recite the incantation Expecto Patronous. With a small flick of her wrist, a large, silver dragon erupted from the tip of her wand. Its eyes burned into Voldermort, as it took three mighty steps towards him, it's head barely inches from his. With a silent roar, the patronous dragon extended its mighty wings and propelled itself into the air, where it flew around the room, spewing silver fire from its jaws as it went.
"That is enough". Voldemort murmured, his expression unchanged.
Bellatrix extinguished the dragon at once and stowed away her wand once more.
Voldemort considered Bellatrix intently. Although he didn't speak it, he had not expected the witch before him to be able to produce such a strong patronous non-verbally.
"Have you heard of the unforgivable curses?" Voldemort asked, as if asking a small child.
"Of course." Bella answered in a bored tone as she took an empty glass from the tray and transfigured it into a snowy white mouse. The mouse scuttled around in front of her, its beady, black eyes taking in its surroundings.
"The Imperius Curse", she muttered, taking her wand again and pointing it at the mouse.
Suddenly, the mouse stopped still and turned to gaze at the Dark Lord. Slowly it crawled towards him and bared it's tiny teeth, it's tail swishing comically behind it. As Bella demanded it to turn away and run across the room, she heard Narcissa gasp, but ignored her.
The mouse bound across the table and leaped into the air. It soared for a moment, then toppled to the ground.
With a flick of her wand, Bella threw the mouse back onto the table, and released it from the curse.
"The cruciatus curse", she murmured, pointing her wand again at the mouse.
Without an incantation, the mouse began to writher and shriek in obvious pain. Its small body convulsed and twisted un-naturally as it's screams grew louder. She continued the curse for a little longer, intensifying the pain, causing the mouse to gnaw on its own tail while screeching as if for some sort of morbid relief. She watched the mouse with mild interest, before releasing it, watching it fall limp, while breathing deeply.
"And the killing curse".
Bella aimed her wand at the mouse, then with a jerk of her wrist, shot a jet of green light at the mouse. A final cry left the mouse before it lay before her, motionless.
Voldemort again leaned back in his chair, a small smirk on his face. Bella met his gaze and held it defiantly.
"Show me how you fight. Being a skilled duelist is a must you see. I can't have weak followers can I? No matter how young and .. talented they are." He challenged, ignoring everyone in the room but Bella.
"As you wish My Lord." Bella sighed simply as she stood up. She had been known at Hogwarts as a prodigiously skilled witch as well as intelligent.
Druella, Cygnus and Cissy stood up also, and moved away as Voldemort moved the chairs and tables to the side of the room with a flick of his wand.
Bella took her wand in her right hand and stood before Voldemort, who also had his wand ready.
"As this is a trial, we will ban the use of the killing and imperius curse. " Voldemort instructed, earning a nod from Bellatrix.
"I do not wish to outstay my welcome by killing my host's daughter", he added tauntingly. Bella shot him a devilish smirk and actually laughed, but said nothing else. Her laugh caused Voldemort's smile to faulter. He had assumed his comment would show signs of nervousness or frighten her, but she seemed confident.
'She can't possibly expect to defeat me?' He thought as watched her, trying to work her out.
Once both were ready, Bella bowed deeply then stood upright once more, noticing that he had bowed also.
"When you're ready". Bella insisted, her wand raised.
Without warning, Voldemort shot a red jet of light at her, which she barely had time to deflect. Again he attacked and she deflected, but the third curse she dodged and sent a jet of her own hurtling towards him. She was quick, but he was quicker; however her spells weren't to be laughed at.
The two duelled speechlessly for minutes on end, Bella dancing around his spells and sending hers hurtling towards him. One of her curses left a slight singe on his robe as he dodged a ricocheting spell. She gave a small triumphant laugh as she twirled to the side, avoiding another curse.
"Enough" Voldemort ordered after a moment. Bella dropped her wand to her side instantly, and stood before him, with little more than messy hair and a small cut on her arm.
"You are indeed a prodigious witch, but you could be far, far better." He admitted as he returned the table and chairs to their normal place.
"Well I got outstandings in all my O. and N.E.W.T.s so try me, and I'll learn to be better", Bella challenged as she strode back towards her family, her back to the Dark Lord.
"I don't doubt my abilities to learn whatever you throw at me My Lord." She added, her back still turned, but she noticed the sudden fearful look in her sister's eyes, and turned around in time to see Voldemort with his wand pointed at her. Bellatrix thrust her wand out, but she felt the Dark Lord attempt to penetrate her mind. Quickly she shut him out of her mind, and deflected his attempt to see into and control her mind.
Voldemort lowered his wand and chuckled.
"Impressive Bellatrix. Not many young wizards and witches can resist me". He whispered, taking confident steps towards her. Bellatrix gave a shrug, but watched him, not backing down as he approached her.
"Extend your left arm." He demanded in his deathly quiet voice that sent shivers down Bella's spine. Without a change of expression on her face, she did as was asked, her eyes boring into the eyes of the man before her.
"My Lord! I know she will plea-"
"That is enough Cygnus. I don't need your reassurance." Voldemort said, dismissing Cygnus instantly.
"I will find use for you, I am sure." He added as he touched the tip of his wand to Bella's arm. Bella watched with sadistic glee as the Dark Mark spread along her forearm, the burning sensation not bothering her in the slightest. A grin spread over her features as the mark completed itself. There it was, the permanent mark, signalling her devotion to him.
"You are mine now Bellatrix Black. Mine".
