"Kneel!"

Bella's voice comes out in a sharp hiss, her wand digging into the small of his back. Within seconds, she is kneeling beside him, head bowed in a posture of sheer reverence. Truthfully, Barty doesn't know where to look. From beneath his hood, he sees that old blood stains mar the varnished floor, their patterns almost artistic in his mind. Encircling them are equally hooded figures, entirely menacing even in their current lax states. Though he will never admit it, Barty is almost weak with nerves. What if he fails to impress the Dark Lord? What if he is deemed unworthy of such servitude? Would Bella be the one to torture him for his shortcomings? He feels his head will explode with insecurities and then, with the apparition of one single figure, each negative thought seems to vanish into nothingness.

Sheer power radiates from Voldemort; heady waves that threaten to consume Barty's very soul. Despite the blood roaring in his ears, he dimly hears Bella's sharp intake of breath and wonders if she can hear the wild thumping of his heart. He knows that she, of all people, would understand the yearning that has set his veins on fire.

"So my Bella, what have you brought me? A gift for Nagini, perhaps?"

Laughter erupts from the surrounding Death Eaters, and he feels Bella's body stiffen at their mockery. She stands, pushing back her hood, keeping her heavily lidded eyes downcast in respect.

"If I may, My Lord...I have brought you a new recruit."

She raises her head then with a sly smile, meeting her Master's scarlet eyes.

"I believe you will be very pleased with him Master...both for his loyalty to the Cause, and his...connections."

Her black eyes gleaming, she gestures to Barty.

"May I introduce him to you, My Lord?" Her voice is now positively strained with excitement.

A mirthless smile graces Voldemort's lips as he takes his seat upon a throne-like chair at the head of the room. He considers the hooded figure beside Bella for another moment, absentmindedly twirling his wand through his long fingers.

"You may, Bella. I hope, for your sake, he is worthy of such an introduction," he hisses.

Bella's smile merely widens further as she runs her fingers over Barty's hood. Then, as though it has started to burn her fingers, she whips it back.

Among the rising whispers and murmurs, her voice is seductively playful.

"Master, I give you...Barty Crouch Jr."

Her Lord's answering smile makes her toes curl.