"It seems one of us has become a traitor," said Voldemort, as he walked around the circle of Death Eaters. They all seemed to shrink a bit as he past them.
"My Lord, I thought you already dealt with Regulus." Lucius Malfoy's voice wavered with uncertainity.
"Yes, Bellatrix brought him to you yesterday, my Lord," added Nott.
"Silence!" Voldemort's voice echoed in the distance. "You fools, Regulus has escaped with the help of one of you!"
"One of us? Why would we help him?" asked Goyle.
"Wouldn't Sirius Black be a more suitable suspect, my Lord? After all, blood is more important to the members of the Order of the Phoniex," replied Malfoy.
"Not really, Malfoy, Regulus is more of a scum to his brother than to us," said Mulciber.
"But still, it's possible," argued Malfoy.
"Stop being full of yourself, Malfoy and shut up for once!" exclaimed Wilkes.
"You should all shut up." Voldemort glared. "And Mulciber is right. No one would try to save Black from the Order of the Phoniex, not even his own brother. The only one would would dare to do so is Dumbledore. I'm sure we all know that the old man can't even leave his chair at Hogwarts, let alone come here." Laughter filled the air at his last comment.
"You got that right," snickered Alecto Carrow.
"So, Bellatrix, why so quiet today?" asked Voldemort. The laughter died down and all stared at Bellatrix. "Do you pity your cousin?"
"My Lord, of course not. I told you yesterday that I would kill him if I could."
"I will give you that honor if you find him and bring him to me," declared Voldemort, his red eyes flashing.
"My Lord, I'm ever so grateful. You will not be disappointed."
"Then go!"
Bellatrix swept a bow and left. As she walked away, she could hear Severus Snape telling the Dark Lord about missing potions.