Bellatrix watched him curiously as he took a seat at the end of the long table, along with several other Death Eaters. She knew he had received his Dark Mark only a few weeks ago. He was merely eighteen years old and she couldn't sense a lot of potential in him, but obviously her master thought differently. He had given him to her as her new protégé. She had been in the service of the Dark Lord for almost 10 years now and had had several young protégés to teach and watch over. Only about 50 percent of them actually made it as Death Eaters. The rest were either killed during training lessons or on missions, or it showed that they were too weak for even the easiest tasks and they were killed by other Death Eaters on Lord Voldemort's command.

She didn't know a lot about the boy yet, except that his name was Thomas and that he had only just finished his last year at Hogwarts. He was a handsome fellow in her eyes. He had mysterious green eyes, fine features that made him look a tad like an aristocrat, and a tall muscled figure with broad shoulders. He looked older than eighteen, but as soon as he opened his mouth, that illusion disappeared. He sounded every bit the young boy he was in her eyes. She still found him fairly fascinating though. He seemed to think the same of her as she had caught him staring whenever he thought she didn't look. Bellatrix knew the effect she had on most men and boys. With twenty-seven, she featured in a lot of fantasies and wet dreams of younger men. However, none of them had a chance. Her husband Rodolphus didn't believe her when she told him she would never sleep around with these 'schoolboys'. He was always jealous. But to be honest, Bellatrix couldn't care less about him. At the beginning of their marriage, their sex had been fantastic. It had been passionate, new and she hadn't had anything to compare it with. That had quickly worn off. She'd become bored with him and soon was looking for a new exciting adventure, which she found in the Dark Lord; although she had to admit he was far more than just an adventure to her. The sex with him was the best she ever had in her life, but he was often too busy, so that their passionate encounters unfortunately were rare occasions.

She was torn away from her thoughts as she saw Thomas laughing at something one of the other young Death Eaters had said and then turning his head in her direction. She kept his stare and, for a short moment, smiled a little. She knew very well that he wanted her, just like all the other boys. She had seen it when using legilimency on him. His little fantasies amused her and she was sure their training lessons would be very interesting.

Her thoughts were once again interrupted when the Dark Lord entered the room and everyone, including her, quickly bowed their head in respect. He took his seat to Bellatrix's left side, at the head of the table. "My Lord," she whispered, greeting him quietly. He ignored her and gave no sign that he had heard her at all.

The meeting wasn't about anything special – Bellatrix had guessed as much when she realised that even the newest members were present. She didn't mind though, as long as she could be close to the Dark Lord. Throughout the whole meeting, she watched him with admiration and fondness, listening carefully to every word he said. She loved the way his "S"s sounded like hissing, almost like a snake, her favourite animal. His voice was incredibly sexy, she thought. It was something she could listen to for hours, hearing him talk, breathe, moan... She slowly licked her lips at the thought. Their last encounter had been a few weeks ago and she was desperately longing to feel him again. Having him sitting so close to her during the meeting didn't exactly help either, it only intensified her lust for him. He must have known this, and he certainly loved to torture her this way.

A feeling overcame her, the feeling of being watched by someone. She could definitely feel a pair of eyes on her. Casting a quick glance around the table, she immediately spotted Thomas watching her again. Whereas the Dark Lord had scarcely looked at her throughout the meeting, Thomas seemed to have given her more attention than he had given the Dark Lord. She was used to being watched by men, but right now it irritated her. She would have to talk to her young protégé about the matter.

When the Dark Lord finished the meeting and everyone rose from their seats and left the room, Bellatrix was about to do the same, but her master stopped her. "Bella, Thomas, I'd like a word with you."

"Of course, master," she said, bowing her head.

"I want you to start with your training lessons this evening. You can use the duelling room in the dungeons." He turned to the boy. "Bella will report back to me about your failures and mistakes." He paused for a brief moment, then said: "Don't assume this will be easy. Bella is a very... passionate tutor, so you better learn quickly and don't disappoint her!"

Bellatrix blushed at his words, not missing the double meaning in them. He considered her for a brief moment, but then turned his back to them. Bellatrix took this as a hint that it was time for them to leave. "Thank you, My Lord" she said and was about to leave through the heavy wooden door with Thomas, when the Dark Lord stopped her.

"Bellatrix, stay behind."

It was an order and of course she would obey. She stopped in her track and couldn't suppress a little smile as she turned around to face him again. He waited until Thomas had left the room and closed the door before he started talking.

Thomas stood outside the room the meeting had taken place in, and the door had just closed behind him. He felt his body relax slowly as he leaned with his back against the cool brick wall, desperately trying to calm his excitement. He would start his training lessons tonight, with one of the most skilled witches of the century! But it wasn't only that. Bellatrix Lestrange also was one of the sexiest witches he'd ever seen. His school friends, who'd also just become Death Eaters, envied him a lot because he was her new protégé. He'd heard so much about her. She was extremely powerful and dangerous, with prodigious magical skills and a tendency to be quite sadistic; she loved to torture her victims and had been trained by the Dark Lord himself. She was married, but there were rumours amongst the Death Eaters that she was more than just a loyal follower to their master, implying that she served him 'in ways that none of the men could'. It wouldn't surprise him if that was true. She was incredibly beautiful with her pale skin, her big heavy-lidded eyes and her dark curls.

Last week, he had been out with his friends. Of course a lot of drinking was involved, and it hadn't taken long until they were in a very drunk state, talking about women and making stupid bets.

"Man, you're sush a lucky sod," one of his friends slurred. "You geddo look at that Leshtrange woman aaall the time."

"I'd sooo bang her if I was you, Thomash," another one said.

"We should make a bet," the one of them who probably was the most sober said. "Thomas has to seduce Bellatrix Lestrange. If he fails...he has to tell everyone he's gay! If he succeeds...well, I'll think of something."

"I have an even better idea! Let's make the Unbreakable Vow..."

Of course, drunk as he had been, he had accepted the bet and had made the Unbreakable Vow. And now more than only his honour was at stake and he would have to try his best to win this bet or he would lose his life.

Deep in his thoughts, he jumped when the door next to him was opened. Bellatrix walked out of the room, not noticing him leaning with his back against the wall.

"Madam Lestrange!" he called out after her. She span around, her wand out and pointed at him.

"Good lord, boy! Do you have a death wish?" She lowered her wand. "What are you still doing here? The Dark Lord has excused you half an hour ago. You can't just lurk around here!"

"Sorry. I was in thoughts. "

"Go home. I'll see you this evening at exactly six o'clock for our first training lesson in the dungeons. Don't be late. I don't like to be kept waiting."

"Of course not, Madam Lestrange."

"And don't call me that! It's Mistress Lestrange, do you understand, boy?"

"Yes, Mistress Lestrange."

He was very much looking forward to his first training lesson.