Standing in a darkly lit room were twelve dark figures huddled in a circle, heads bowed, hands clasped nervously behind their backs. White masks protected their face, leaving mere slits for the eyes and a small opening for the mouth, removing all traces of identity, unless amongst themselves. It was less for disguise though, that these costumes were worn, it was the fear they instilled in their victims. A nameless, faceless torturer was brutal when compared to the distinct features of a living breathing human. Humans have hearts, disguised robots have nothing.
Soft murmurings had already circulated of a new member, one beyond them all, who had served the Dark Lord already, without the Dark Mark. Words had flown of this gentleman's power and their Lord's happiness in his eagerness to join their ranks.
Already silent, the room grew eerily quieter as another hooded figure approached. Black robes billowing out from this tall, lank figure, red eyes gleamed through cat-like eyes that protruded from a gaunt face. As he pushed through the circle, which opened up slightly between Evan Rosier and Walden Macnair, all heads continued to grow lower, as if they were preparing to grovel upon the ground.
A low hiss left his mouth as the Voldemort turned his eyes upon each member, though meeting none of theirs- as it should be. "Raise your heads." He said, a hint of amusement in his voice, a bony, frail hand motioning them upwards, a hand held his wand between his thumb and forefinger. Glancing one eye upwards, the Death Eaters exchanged awkward glances, "Remove your masks."
It wasn't an uncommon command, yet as their hands trembled, slowly removing the white faces, it seemed as if it were the first time. It was customary of them to remove their masks to great a new Death Eater, as he told them the bond between Death Eaters was stronger when they knew who they were killing with, and none of them dared to disagree. It had been over six months since the last member joined, Antonin Dolohov, and their eager and demanding eyes proved that they had grown comfortable within this tight-nit group. None were ready for another member.
"As you are well aware," Began Voldemort, his voice croaking and powerful, bellowing in the black room, echoing off the walls, "I have found and recruited a new member. This new member will not have their loyalty tested today, for it has already been proven to me during a recent encounter with an Auror. Despite no mark, nor any information regarding us, this new member tortured and killed an Auror in my name!" A little whistle of wind whipped through the circle, though nobody could see any open windows. "Today you will meet our newest member, my strongest Death Eater," At this, Lucious Malfoy's face grew painfully tight, his teeth biting his lower lips, eyes glaring down at the floor, refusing to stare mindlessly at the Dark Lord, "Come out now." This time though, his voice was directed to his left, as he glanced over his shoulder, past Rosier and Goyle.
A light tap of footsteps could be heard approaching from a distant area. It seemed rather dainty and graceful, as if gliding upon the ground rather then walking. It was obvious the approachign figures face was pale and fair, black eyes glinting out from underneath heavy eyelids. It wasn't until the new member was closer to the circle that they caught a glimpse of the billowing black hair that framed a beautiful face.
Murmurs spread like wild-fire, though no coherent sentences were formed. Rookwood's jaw physically dropped, Crabbe emitted a low gasp from the back of his throat, Malfoy remained scarily silent, his jaw grinding, but the quietest of them all was Rodolphus Lestrange.
Moving swiftly into the circle was Bellatrix Black.
Voldemort's eyes lit with fire at the sight of her meager eyes bent downwards as she took a bow. Resting his finger beneath her chin, he lifted her head to gaze into her eyes. Already she had sealed her fate, becoming his pride and joy, his apprentice-- his. It was merely for logistical purposes that the Dark Lord needed to brand her beautiful flawless skin with his mark. It was his first female Death Eater, and he hoped not the last. Though Voldemort held no lust for her, no physical want, he could see a flame burning in the depths of her soul, needing and wanting to kill and torture those who had hurt her. Aggressive she was, greedy and arrogant -- the perfect Death Eater.
A low growl spurted out Voldemort's throat has he commanded her "Lift your sleeve." In his hand he held his wand, which had a green tint glowing off its tip. Doing as she asked, Bellatrix lifted it up, her thin and lady-like hand pulling up the plain robes. With glistening eyes, Bellatrix watched as Voldemort pressed the wand down upon her skin. Within an instant she felt a searing pain. Hissing, she smirked as a skull and snake engraved itself upon her skin.
It was a mere second afterwards that Bellatrix lifted her eyes to gaze upon Rodolphus, who watched her, his mouth slightly apart in the middle, his cheeks flushed near the bone, as if unexplainably hot. Voldemort gazed at the pair, for their eyes seemed to be locked upon each other. Every other Death Eater saw it too, an eerie chill passing around.
Interrupting, Lucious, an arrogant and pompous Death Eater, spoke, addressing the Dark Lord with eager and apologetic words, "My Lord, will we be serving you tonight?"
A low chuckle floated in the air as birds do the wind, "My dear Lucious, don't fear, you will have time to prove your loyalty." Began Voldemort, who took this chance to stare his Death Eaters in the eyes, watching as they cowered backwards, bowing their heads automatically. "Each of you will be receiving a task, one I demand to be done by the morning. Darkness is our cover, and no business will lag into the daylight, when your masks will no longer protect you." He spoke about their attire as if it would prevent curses and hexes from piercing their skin, though each had the scars to prove differently.
Having long since moved her eyes from Rodolphus to her newly etched mark, she stared at it in wonder, scarlet lips pushed together in a contemplative manner. The skull seemed to stare up at her, whispering sweet nothings into her ear in ways only she could hear. The snake slowly would slither around the skull, teasing her soul into bursting with envy and joy, but she remained poised and silent.
"Rookwood and Rosier, a pair of traitors are located in South London." With two simple nods, Voldemort watched as they disapparated together, leaving gap in the circle, no bodies filling it. "Crabbe, Goyle, please go to Hogsmeade and spy upon the Minister who will be eating at the three broomsticks. I recommend you stay away from the drinks yourself." He warned, using prior knowledge of drunkenness to his advantage. They disapprated. "Dolohov, Nott and Malfoy, a large job awaits you at Kings Cross. Lucious, I believe you will understand upon arrival." After these three disapparted, very few Death Eaters remained, and this seemed to please Voldemort, proving that they were needed and required. "Mulciber and Macnair, you better accompany Crabbe and Goyle." He added, his voice harsh, as if distrusting of the latter pair's intelligence and wit. "Avery and Rabastan." Voldemort cooed after watching the previous pair disapparate, "Please attend to a pair of Aurors in Surrey." Nodding their heads, they followed suit and disapparated, leaving only Rodolphus, Bellatrix and Voldemort in a rather awkward formation.
A low sigh pierced the still air, and Bellatrix's eager and aware eyes landed on Rodolphus. Seeming to be concentrating, his eyes had closed, leaving a peaceful and serene façade on his face. A low smile crept into the desolate features of Voldemort's face, revealing a sinister and devilish countenance. "And I assume you two know each other," he began, glancing at Bellatrix, waiting for her to continue, though she nodded meagerly, head bowed as soon as his eyes turned towards her. "And I also sense distrust, anger… hate even?" At 'hate' Rodolphus' eyes burst open, revealing a glazed and confused expression. "I see…" Voldemort soothed, his voice shockingly soft, a whisper. "You two will attend to a man and his wife in Notting Hill. A muggle man, magical wife, both who passed the slightest information to the ministry about our whereabouts." Grimaced Voldemort with a shake of his head, grasping his wand with a tighter hand.
Rodolphus was the first to disapparate, in the middle of placing his mask atop his face as he did so. Bellatrix followed immediately after, appearing beside him on a deserted street, a row of brick houses staring back at them in the darkness. He glanced down at her masked face through the slitted eye-holes. Ignoring his prying stare, Bellatrix mumbled to him, "Thank you." In a dry and harsh whisper, her lips barely moving.
A shocked and rather disappointed expression crossed Rodolphus ravishing face, "What, what are you thanking me for?"
A sparkle within the depths of Bellatrix's eyes spurred him to change the direction of his gaze, as she stated calmly, "For teaching me how to hate."
Ooc: Please leave my reviews, they make me giddy inside! I hope you like my Bellatrix and Rodolphus, any suggestions will be taken with a smile!