I thought I would start a more long term project and see where it takes me. For now this is a K rating since there isn't anything explicit within or planned. Yet.

Chapter 1 - Fate's Intentions

Bellatrix Black was her name, torture was her game. However, she had not always been a sadistic, murderously cruel servant to the Dark Lord, there was a time when she had been just as innocent as you or I. Indeed she showed signs of a cold and heartless nature from early childhood but nothing to give rise to suspicions of murder in later life. Bullying your sister is one thing, killing her daughter is another.

Her life of obsession and undying loyalty to Lord Voldemort had its origins perhaps when she first read that Daily Prophet article in the Great Hall. Being an upstanding member of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, she of course had very strong views of what blood was acceptable and what was not and his ideology was exactly that. Call it fate or childish obsession, Bella would never be the same again. That scrap of paper had set her on the path to infamy, morbid obsession, prison and eventually death. But the twelve year old girl thought nothing of this as she exited the hall, head held high, curls bouncing almost arrogantly and a folded newspaper tucked securely under one arm.

Yes, that day had changed her – she had always been ambitious but she had assumed she would marry well, settle down and have children. She very rarely contemplated it – what twelve year old did? - but she had reconsidered her whole life's purpose in the matter of a few minutes. Who wanted to sit at home all day and discipline children? Not her, that was boring. Bella wanted adventure, needed a purpose, desired approval and joining this Lord Voldemort seemed to promise all of that.

Five years later and her obsession has only intensified along with her temper and unruliness. Now seventeen, Bella is no longer a child and she certainly doesn't wish to be treated as one.

It's Christmas of 1968 and Bellatrix Black lies awake in her bed. Her dark eyes are wide open and she is coiling a strand of hair subconsciously around her index finger. Her thoughts have wandered to Lord Voldemort as they so often had in the five years she had known about him but they are far more serious than before. She wants in and wants in now. Patience is a virtue and one that Bella failed to possess. She is restless and unable to stay still – what if she left now? Got dressed and apparated out of the house? She was of age after all and she might be able to get back by morning if she left soon… But where would she find Lord Voldemort? A small twist of the lips formed when she recalled something Rodolphus Lestrange had boasted to her once.

"My father works for that man." Rodolphus points a finger at one of Bella's many newspaper clippings about Lord Voldemort. "My father says that he is one of the most powerful wizards in Britain."

"Your father wouldn't know power if it killed him in the night. Lord Voldemort is the most powerful wizard in the world and I fully intend to help him rise to power," she replies proudly, a self-satisfied expression playing across her face.

Mister Lestrange was a follower of the Dark Lord – he would know his whereabouts, surely. Determined as ever Bella could be, she flung the bed sheets off and hastily dressed, listening as carefully as she could while she did so for any approaching footsteps. She didn't really expect any in the middle of the night but her mind was racing with all the possibilities of her actions. As she pulled a cloak over her shoulders, she suddenly froze at the sound of creaking floorboards outside her room. Who was it? She scowled irritably and slowly reached for her wand from where it was placed on her dresser. The wand clicked against the wooden surface as it slipped a little from her grasp. The creaking outside her door stopped suddenly and Bella held her breath, waiting to see who it was.

Bella wasn't exactly sure why she was rooted the spot, maybe because she didn't want to be found out yet and sneaking out of the house in the dead of night would certainly raise suspicions. Her breathing was very shallow as her eyes focused on the doorway. It was too dark to really see anything but she stared nonetheless.

A horrible grating squeal from the doorknob being turned very slowly made Bella cringe with discomfort. It was only a matter of seconds – though it felt a lot longer – before the door was prized open to reveal the unwelcome visitor.

Would love to hear from anyone who takes the time to read this - I'm just a beginner so you'll have to bare with me lol