A/N: Torture. Not too graphical, but not for the faint-hearted.
)O(
He throws the woman to the floor, disgust on his face. She's so light, so thin, so skeletal that the thump is almost non-existent. A flick of his wrist and the logs in the fireplace begin to burn, the flames so easily overpowering the wood, reducing them to ashes in a matter of seconds. They dance on the bark, proving their superiority in power.
He's pointing towards the source of heat in the damp room. Bellatrix shuffles towards it.
"Closer." He orders.
"Closer."
"Closer."
He observes her look of discomfort. Beads of sweat on her face. Dripping directly into the fire.
"Closer, Master?" she murmurs.
"Closer," he agrees.
A muffled scream as a flame melts away some of her skin. Angry red is visible, even through the fire. Her sobs fill the room.
Minutes of this. Minutes of the Dark Lord standing, observing. Ever observing. Minutes of her shrieking and crying. Burning the skin away.
And, at long last, he flicks his wrist again. The flames die out.
Blood.
A vile stench of burnt flesh.
Her face is very nearly ruined.
She does not question it.
"New skin, dear," he coos.
Understanding. She understands why he did this.
"Let us hope it's a new you," he spits. "Otherwise, you really are useless."
The salty liquid from her eyes burn her face like acid.
)O(
A/N: In case you don't get it… Voldemort burns her skin as a symbol, so that she won't fail him like she did again and, because he isn't one for second-chances, really, he's giving her the chance to be a 'new' her, a follower who doesn't fail him. I dunno, think it's a bit of a quirky idea, but randomly popped into my head watching Miss Havisham burn to death in Great Expectations. (Why does Helena never get a happy ending? Why does she usually die?) Thought I'd save this to the end, didn't want to ruin it for you all! ;)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.