Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Notes: Written for alyssialui (prompt: Bellamort, birthdays).
A Crooked Cake
She stood before him, back straight despite the surrounding whispers. Her fingers twitched for her wand, but she stomped down the urge. It wouldn't do to drop the cake after all. Their opinions didn't matter: her Lord was above them all. Nevertheless her heart trembled when red eyes glanced down at the cake.
The longer he stared, the more anxious she became.
It had been her first time baking, and of course it wouldn't be good enough for her Lord, especially on this momentous occasion. Although red bubbled furiously at her cheeks, Bellatrix refused to duck her head.
A hand reached out, picking up the fork to slice at the mess of a cake. Bellatrix expected nothing short of a punishment; her Lord deserved the absolute best, not a distasteful pile of crumbs.
However, her merciful Lord simply set the fork down, heading toward his seat at the head of the table, calling, "I expect better next time, my dear Bella."
She stared at him in shock before a wide grin stretched her lips at the implications.
"Yes, my Lord! I'll be sure to improve!"
Shoving the remaining cake into the still snickering face of Yaxley, she hurried after Voldemort.