Voldemort apperated straight to the headquarter's dining room. Bellatrix sat at the table, obviously awaiting his return. He should have expected that.
The woman jumped to her feet and walked over to the Dark Lord the moment she saw him."Master, you're back!"
Her radiant smile turned into a frown as she noticed the wailing bundle in his arms."What's that?"
"The Potter boy,"Voldemort replied simply, readjusting the child in his arms. The brat was squirming so badly it was hard not to drop him...
A look of utter confusion crossed Bella's face at his response.
"But weren't going to kill him? What about the prophecy?"asked she. The Dark Lord just rolled his eyes."Prophecies aren't necassarily true, Bella."
She just looked more confused at this and he knew very well why. Over the passed few months it had been she who had tried to stop him from 'letting some sodding tea leaves boss him around', as she had so aptly put it. And now he told her itwas all nonsense?
Feeling the sudden, inexplicable urge to justify his actions, he added"Besides, if this child really is so strong, wouldn't it make more sense to have him on our side?"
Bellatrix just shrugged, taking the crying toddler from Voldemort's arms; subconsciously drawing small circels on his back."Whatever you say, my lord."
The boy's sobs stopped immediately and he snuzzled his face into the crook of Bella's neck.
The Dark Lord stared at Bellatrix in suprise."How did you do that?"
His servant seemed just as astounded as he was."I have no idea..."
He regarded her thoughtfully for a few moments and eventually nodded to himself."You're going to raise him."
"I what now?"asked the woman, hoping against hope she had misheard. Lord Voldemort smirked slightly."Raise him, Bella. He's going to be your son from now on."
"B-but master,"she spluttered out."Noone will believe that, will they? I've never been seen pregnant or with a baby!"
"Don't argue with me,"Voldemort hissed, his voice dangerously low."You do as I say and I couldn't care less whether you like it or not! Apart from that, you're hardly ever seen in public, noone will know if you had a kid."
Bellatrix sighed in defeat while stroking the child's black hair. She always obeyed her lord, even if his request was this ridiculous."But I won't have to call him Harry, will I? It's such a horrid name..."
Voldemort just shrugged."Change it if you must. What were you thinking of?"
Not that he really cared...
"I don't know."Bellatrix hesitated."Phineas maybe. It has a nice ring to it, don't you think? Phineas Rodolphus Lestrange."
She craddled the boy closer to her chest."Do you like that? Phineas?"
The child giggled and clapped his tiny hands, making the woman smile despite herself."Phineas it is then!"
She then looked back at her master, waiting for further instructions. Voldemort simply handed the bag he was holding to Bellatrix."That's some of his stuff. And now go, Bella."
She did as she was told, cooing to the boy as she left."Let's go meet your new daddy, shall we, sweetie?"
Voldemort smirked as he watched her leave. She might not be the mothering type but under her care the kid atleast wouldn't get any stupid ideas stuck in his head.
