A/N: I will be posting two versions of this chapter. Please tell me which one you prefer and I will keep that. This first one is a bit more canon than the other (which is more fluffy). The Bellatrix chapter after this and the other chapters following (esp. those from Voldy's POV) will be changed depending on which chapter you choose. Please tell me in a review or PM, your choice.

Voldemort's POV

I apparated to her almost immediately after I left the room. She was waiting for me anxiously; so lost in thought was she that she had not noticed me apparating into the room. I slowly and silently approached her from behind. I smirk a little when I hear her small gasp of surprise as I place my hands on her shoulders. She was really too cute.

"M-my Lord?" She asks nervously as she turns to face me. She truly was quite beautiful. No wonder Nagini is jealous. I smirk inwardly at the thought. Even if she won't admit it to herself, she admits it to me-however unintentionally that may be. The little girl with raven colored hair stares at me, eyes round with worry.

"She approves." I say this hesitantly.

I am not stupid—no matter how much Nagini likes to think I am. She was clearly only "humoring" me when she allowed me to personally train Bellatrix. It's not as if she'd really approve. Even if she weren't jealous (which she is, even if she won't admit it to herself) she simply wouldn't approve of me personally training anyone.

She wanted to control me. And I, disturbingly enough, wanted the same. Call me a masochist, but sometimes I needed someone to have power over me for a change. It was actually quite refreshing. Power does get tiresome after a while. Though I'm sure most wouldn't agree--then again, most haven't had as much power as I.

I was the most feared Dark Wizard of all time. A feat no other man can claim. Even Dumbledore, who some have claimed is even more powerful than I—stupid fools, they'll have to be punished—has not the power I have. Some said it was because he was too noble to use or even know of such power. Fools!! He was not noble—he was weak! A weakling who was too afraid to search for power!! Not like I--I who was not afraid to delve into the Dark Arts; to gain knowledge in some the most powerful magic the world has ever known.

I am not stupid. I am not weak. And that snake does not control as much as thinks. I allow her to control me. And though she may hiss words of murder and may even come close to actually doing it; she will never succeed. I am a man who has found immortality.

I shall never die.

I half say this to the young girl in front of me who is thinking such foolish thoughts, as she sighs in relief at my words of approval. She was worried about me.

That's why she was worried? The girl needed to worry more about herself. She was the one who was in danger of being killed. Nagini, even if she were to try (which she really wouldn't anyway, no matter what she says; she will never kill me) she would not succeed. I would never die. But this silly girl—she would. Nagini is a ruthless a killer as I am. She would kill Bellatrix-and anyone else for that matter-without a moment's hesitation. She'd probably enjoy it. Hell, she might even eat them.

"Foolish girl." I hiss out far more harshly than I intended.

"W-what?" She looks bewildered. She knows I am a Legilimens, and she know Occlumency—but she has never put up her shields around me. It is a fact I too often abuse, and too often find pleasure in. I smirk at her expression. She has once again momentarily forgotten about my ability to "read her mind" (as many ignorant fools call it).

"I do not need your constant worrying of me, Miss Black." Her eyes widen as the realization of what I mean hits her.

"I-I'm sorry." She mumbles quietly. She looks away, unable to look at me. Am I that ugly, my dear?

"I cannot hear you." I say coldly.

"I'm sorry!!" She practically shouts it this time. Her fists are shaking and her face is flushed with anger. She always did have a temper.

"What did you say?" I hiss in cold fury. I grab her by the throat in one swift motion. She's desperately gasping for air and I smile coldly, enjoying her helplessness. There is shock and fear in her eyes.

"I-I'm… s-s-sorry.." She's having a hard time talking and her words come out in gasps.

"You will learn to control your temper." I hiss as I let go of her neck. Dark red marks appear where my hands were. "Particularly in front of me. I will not stand for such foolish insolence." I grab her roughly by the chin. "I will not be so merciful next time."

"Y-yes.. My Lord.." She whispers shakily, still panting for breath.

"Now.." I shove her away forcefully and she stumbles a bit. I smirk. "We have important matters to attend to." I move a bit closer so only she will hear me. Not that there's anyone in the room. We are in a small cabin in the middle of the country. No one, not the annoying members of the Order or the equally annoying Death Eaters who are all completely disposable except for Bella, will find us here.

"Even though Nagini says she approves, I am almost certain that is not truly the case." When she gives a small gasp of surprise, I hold my hand up to silence her.

"She will most likely kill you." Her eyes widened in horror.

"Don't worry, my dear." I smiled in the most reassuring way I could, which of course means I smiled evilly.

"I won't let her kill you just yet." I pat her gently on the head.

"Do you have a plan, My Lord?" She asks hesitantly and stares me directly in the eye.

"Of course." I reply coolly. Of course.. I don't.

"Really?" She grins playfully. I raise nonexistent eyebrows in surprise. In the heat of the moment it seems I have unintentionally lowered my Occlumency shields. I will have to work on that in the future.

"No." I sigh. "I'm afraid you will just have to die." I smirk evilly and grin wider when I see her look of mixed surprise and indignation.

"Lucky for you," She says stiffly (like she is trying to suppress certain giggles, which is clearly unsuccessful).

She was one of the few people who could and did talk back to me. There were limits, though, as I displayed before. You always had to remind them who was really in charge. They were always quick to forget and push it. I may have allowed Bellatrix (and Nagini) liberties with me I allow no others. But that did not mean they had any actual control over me. I am always in control, even if I display otherwise.

"I am not going to die." She crosses her arms in an act of defiance. She smiles at me to show that it is just that. An act. She has already learned her lesson, I note almost proudly. She knows not to push he boundaries of our.. unusual.. relationship. I'll have to reward her sometime soon.

"Listen." She says this very seriously now. It jolts me back to attention. Her playful air is gone and in its place is a grave silence.

"I have a plan."

A/N: I know, the Voldemort here isn't really as "pathetic" as I promised in the summary, but I just can't seem to bring myself to do it. So instead I made him the whole "mastermind" behind the whole thing. Or is he..? XD actually.. they'll all be the "mastermind" in their POV's. Everyone's controlling everyone else, and no one's really in control. You'll just have to keep reading to see who's the real "mastermind"!

Oh, and Voldemort is a *bit* more pathertic in the alternate version of this but only bec. he actually has feelings there (for Bella).