The Death Eaters were sitting around the square table. Even though there were thirty people present no sound was made. No extra movements. The tension was poignant in the air. From the head of the table Lord Voldemort moved forward. As he did the silence was shattered. No one could keep themselves from gathering a sharp intake of breath.

The Dark Lord looked to his immediate left where Bellatrix Lestrange sat quivering, her face looking into her lap. Her insane glare and intense smile were both missing, replaced by an empty face and lifeless eyes.

Voldemort looked into Bellatrix's visage coolly.

"Repeat to me again Bella… what did you say?"

Her voice rasped "My lord, my master-"

"Bellatrix Lestrange. When I tell you to repeat what you said to me I want you to repeat what you said."

Voldemort stood up and Bellatrix jerked up quickly not under her own will. He took her hand and pushed her to the center of the room, away from the table.

He was circling her, his wand high up in the air. Bellatrix shivered. Without looking down she realized that the Dark Lord's wand was now at the center of her neck. She raised both hands from her sides into a surrendering position. As she did she felt a burning where the tip of the wand was; she wasn't surprised. She gasped for air and began to speak.

"I couldn't do it."

"YOU MEAN YOU COULDN'T ACCESS THE-"

"Please, Master. Understand I was-"

"Understand. Did you hear that my comrades? She wants me to understand," the sarcasm was apparent in his voice and although his intention might have been to joke none of his thirty guests could come up with enough courage to laugh.

"I am a forgiving lord: a merciful one. Who here disagrees?"

Silence.

"Am I not fair?" There was fussy nodding and mhmms from all around the table.

Bellatrix looked as though she was about to lose consciousness and suddenly the wand vanished from her throat. Voldemort walked up to the table and walked down the long aisle of Death Eaters. He grabbed one by the arm and threw him down onto the hard marble in front of Bellatrix's feet.

Her nephew looked up at her with big eyes. Bellatrix shifted her glance to the Dark Lord and away from Draco.

"What is-"

"YOU DARE QUESTION MY INSENTIVES BELLATRIX LESTRANGE? So be it. I was going to offer a more romantic death for you… killed by your very own Draco… but then again why should he deprive me of such a treat?

"My Bella. My loyal, loyal Bellatrix. You have been faithful to me throughout so many years. But sadly, even the best of them go bad eventually. I have been mistaken to trust you. Why do I trust? I should never trust those that are weaker. Who weaken themselves with love."

"I do not love!" shrieked Bellatrix.

"You are mistaken. I see the way you look at those around you. Narcissa, Lucius and even Draco right now. It wouldn't even be beyond you to produce a Patronus."

"I do not love Draco or anyone. I have loyalty to you. Only you my Lord."

"Then may that loyalty not falter beyond your death."

He was squarely in front of her now and he pushed Draco out of the way with his foot. He looked into Bella's eyes and raised his wand.

"Avada Kedavra."

A flash of green light hit Bellatrix in the chest and with that she collapsed onto the stone floor.