DISCLAIMER
I am not JK Rowling. If I was, I would be worth more than the Queen of England, and I could pay people to write slashy fanfiction for me. However, I am not JK Rowling. All characters and settings that appear in this story, unless otherwise noted, belong to her. The storyline, however, belongs to me – so don't steal or I'll hex you. The title, "Tainted Love", came from a Softcell song by the same name. It's a good song, and if you haven't heard it, I highly recommend it.

SUMMARY
Voldemort plans how to finally bring about Harry's downfall following HP5 using a weapon that is completely unexpected. However, one person's betrayal can be the difference between life and death for not only Harry, but the two people closest to him... [insert dramatic drumroll]

SPOILER ALERT!
This fanfiction takes place AFTER the events of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It will contain heavy spoilers, so if you have not read the 5th book, (a) SHAME ON YOU and (b) you may want to stop reading here.

RATING
Rated PG-13 for language, sexual implications later on, and mild slash. Flames are always fun, but constructive criticism is far better. I'm not quite sure where this is going, so let me know if I should continue.

MISC.
This chapter was posted earlier, under a different penname, but I have updated it a little bit, so hopefully it is better than last time.
TAINTED LOVE
A fanfiction by poly styrene

PROLOGUE

Bellatrix Lestrange's dark hair fell into her face as she stared at the floor, looking for all the world like a mischievous child being reprimanded. "Master," she said quietly, her breath catching. "I have... I failed you. I am unworthy to live, unworthy for you to set your eyes upon."

Voldemort sneered. "Very observant, Bella. You have never been mentally incompetent." He strode across the room to the window and stared moodily at the harsh landscape sprawling as far as the eye could see. "However, you are much too loyal and valuable to kill, which you know as well as I."

Bellatrix nodded gracefully, her eyes lifting from the floor as she gazed at the Dark Lord through her thick lashes. A small smile played about her lips. Indeed, she did know how valuable she was.

"However, since you have failed, we will have to use her after all," continued the cruel voice. Voldemort turned to see the effect this statement had on her; he smirked in satisfaction when she stared evenly back at him without a flinch.

"Very well. He knows what his role is to be, I have trained him well." Bellatrix, too, crossed over to the window and stared at the frozen lawns of Malfoy Manor. "He has attracted so little attention thus far at Hogwarts, it is very unlikely that he will be suspected of anything."

Voldemort shrugged, a gesture that was intimidating at best on his tall dark figure. "It is too bad that he had not managed to get into a different house."

Bellatrix nodded sorrowfully. "That is too bad. However, he was only eleven. The Sorting Hat is notoriously hard to hoodwink, you know. I was obviously not close by to instruct him, and with you still being too weak to be helpful..." The Dark Lord shot her a nasty glare, and a low sound, almost like a growl, emerged from his throat. Bellatrix seemed not to notice. She was the only one who could get away with speaking to him like that. "He was relying almost entirely on Quirrel," she continued smoothly. "It's a miracle he landed where he did, or our plan would be ruined."

The Dark Lord snorted. "Quirrel was a waste of time and energy. I regret the necessity."

"Had that idiot succeeded, we would all be in a much better position than we are now," sighed Bellatrix. "Nevertheless, with the Ministry under the control of that bumbling fool Fudge, the Dementors firmly supporting us, and the wizarding world's late realization of its... circumstances, we have nearly every advantage that we could ask for."

"Do not underestimate the importance of Black's death," Voldemort said softly, almost gently. "Harry Potter is now destabilized, emotionally." He stepped very close to Bellatrix, and the smell of slightly rotten flesh filled her nostrils. Rather than backing away, she inhaled deeply, her eyes closing. Voldemort continued, his low whisper echoing in her ears. "And you and I both know very well, Bella, that allowing emotions to overwhelm oneself is the very first sign of a downfall." He buried one claw-like hand in her long, dark hair, and raked her scalp with his nails.

"My Lord," she crooned, as he traced her jaw line with a dark finger. "What will we do about Dumbledore?"

Voldemort laughed triumphantly. "He feels guilt, Bellatrix. He did not tell Potter about the Prophecy, and because the boy was not aware of its existence, he went chasing after Black." He smiled terribly. "Dumbledore's conscience is tainted forever, especially because he knows how close Potter and Black were."

Bellatrix matched his horrible smile, her eyes alight with understanding. "Of course... the fool never revealed the Prophecy. Potter may yet recover, that remains to be seen..." Her smile grew wider. "But Dumbledore will never be the same."

"Precisely." Voldemort pulled away so abruptly that she nearly fell. Apparently oblivious to the longing gaze penetrating the thick lashes, he threw open the double doors of the Malfoys' parlor with an air of importance, and recognized the man waiting impatiently in the hall. "Lucius, you may enter now."

Lucius Malfoy swept into the room with an air of grandeur, his black robes swirling. His silvery eyes narrowed into a glare as he saw Bellatrix standing by the window.

"Good morning, Lucius," she drawled smugly.

"Bellatrix," he replied, acknowledging her with a cold nod.

"You would think," snapped Bella coldly, "that Azkaban had improved your manners."

Lucius shrugged, acting supremely indifferent. "Apparently not."

Voldemort noted this clipped, bitter dialogue with satisfaction. He led a stubborn Lucius over to the window. "Come now, Lucius, no hard feelings... we're all adults now, let's be civilized, shall we?" Lucius nodded, jaw tightly clenched. "I believe that you have been told and understand the plan. You now must fetch the boy," Voldemort ordered, ignoring the elder Malfoy's flinch. "Report back to me when you have him under control."

Lucius's curiosity overcame his anger and shame momentarily. "Have him under control?" he questioned, confused.

"Of course, you fool," snapped Bellatrix, loosing her patience with her former lover. "You are aware of the expectations, are you not? And you think that he is positively thrilled with his assignment, do you? He'll not come easily."

"Do not forget," replied Lucius, the silkiness in his tone barely masking his hatred. "He is my son as well."

"Might as well not be," snorted Bellatrix, her voice tight with fury, "for all the attention you've given him."

Lucius rolled his eyes, almost like a teenager hearing a familiar lecture. "I sent the money, did I not?"

"But not your time!" hissed Bellatrix, her fists clenched. "You lavished Draco with fatherly approval and praise... tried to prepare him for the plan... but you failed with Draco, did you not?" Bellatrix's voice held a note of smug satisfaction, and it increased as she went on. "Perhaps it is a good thing, after all, that you had no contact with your other son."

"You will blame Draco for something that he inherited? Hating Mudbloods is as much a part of him as his dashing good looks, both of which he got from me. Your son may be better at deceit and lies, Bellatrix... he may be able to pretend that he is something he is not. But then, he is your son."

Bellatrix's temper exploded. "HE'S YOUR FUCKING SON, TOO!" she screamed, her hand shooting for her wand.

Voldemort stepped between them, neatly interrupting the spat. "The boy, Lucius. NOW."

Lucius bowed to the Dark Lord, and nodded to Bellatrix. He turned and strode from the room, fingering his wand, knowing that Bellatrix would still be holding hers. He slammed the doors behind him, knowing that it would irk her.

It did. "You don't even acknowledge Lucius as my son's father... You told him to bring 'the boy.' Why?" hissed Bellatrix, turning on Voldemort.

"Bella..." he crooned, wrapping her in his arms. His breath was hot on her bare neck. Slowly, he lowered his teeth and scraped them across her skin, creating several clean, shallow cuts. "Some things are not important."

EDIT
Thanks very much to Lady Norbert for pointing out that Lucius was in Azkaban at the end of the 5th book - you're absolutely right, of course.

AUTHOR'S NOTE
In case there's any confusion, which there is, I think: Lucius Malfoy has two sons. Draco Malfoy has a half-brother.

PROGRESS
I'm nearly done with the first chapter, so I will post that either later today, or tomorrow for sure. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far!