The sky slowly but surely became more grey and bleak as the minutes past. Bellatrix trailed behind the heir of Slytherin like a lost puppy. Then finally she saw the shape of what looked to be a house. Bellatrix breathed a slight sigh of relief. Voldemort stopped a few feet away he muttered a few things under his breath and then turned back to Bellatrix. "We should be safe here… for now." "The others will be on their way soon."
The dark lord walked into the house without another word. Bellatrix raised an eyebrow. This "house" was no more than a worn down shack. It looked as if you even touched it would come toppling down. Vaguely, also it reminded her of something from her youth at Hogwarts, the shrieking shack. Well who was she to complain? She was safe and with her master no less. Smiling to herself she entered the cricketed shack.
As Bellatrix half expected it wasn't in the least bit fancy on the inside in fact it could be called down right grimy. There was a fireplace though, already lit and Voldemort sat in an armchair sitting absolutely still. The heat radiating off of the fire was lovely. She felt balminess come to her chest and up to her cheeks; she thought that she actually might be blushing. Bellatrix stepped toward the fireplace and simplify sat down on the floor next to it soaking up the warmth. After a great deal of time she heard Voldemort clear his throat from his position in the chair. She snapped her head in his direction.
Looking into his face she saw that the dark Lord was looking quite intently at her. Brown and red eyes locked together as if daring the other to blink first. "Bella" He said. Bellatrix broke out of the trance her Lord had seemed to put her in. "Master?" she replied still a little dazed. "I think it's time we continue with the lessons I was teaching to you long ago, do you remember my dear Bella?" She thought back, it was so long ago even before the potter boy had… well, escaped, her Lord. Then she remembered suddenly, "Oh! Occulamency?" Voldemort's mouth twisted in to what was his best attempt of a smile. "Correct!" He rose from his seat and gestured for Bellatrix to take his place in it. "Whereas I realize you do not have your wand at the moment, the art of occulamency does not require the use of one." "This skill is not something easily master of course so pay attention." Bellatrix straightened up the chair, her chest swelling with pride and excitement. "It is in my belief," Voldemort continued, "The this is perhaps one of the most powerful, and dangerous ability." "But then of course it can be extremely useful to the person that wants to block out other witched and wizards from their thoughts." "My darling Bellatrix," he said in a sly manner, "Do you know what I could do to your mind this very instant?" Bellatrix swore that she saw a twinkle in his eyes, which very twinkle that she had been longing for. She tried to speak to it just came out in a sputter. Voldemort gave a short icy laugh. "I could tear you mind so far beyond repair that you wouldn't even know your human and alive. I can drive anyone completely insane if they let me in." "My lord I think that the part insane job has been sufficiently done." Bellatrix said making fun of her own self. Voldemort nodded, at her clear effort to make a joke. "I am pleased you were loyal, Bella, you are my most faithful and trusted, that is precisely why I am going to teach you occulamency. Bellatrix felt a blush creep to her cheeks. "Shall we begin?, clear you mind try to block me from getting in, keep in mind I am not going to be using my full power yet, ready yourself."
Bellatrix braced herself, but almost as quickly as she did she felt a force drive into her. Squeezing her eyes shut she attempted to block Voldemort. It hurt more than she expected, not painful hurt, emotional, it was hard to explain. It was like someone was prying at your every weakness to break you down. She tried as hard as she could but then she gasped, somehow he had gotten in. A memory flashed before her eyes, she was in her room the door bust open and her father came in, beating her. She was only six and he was drunk. Embarrassed Bellatrix strained to push Voldemort out only forcing him to switch memory. She was sitting in a room, she was wearing white. An elegant dress hug on her. It was her wedding. Black streaks trailed down her cheeks. She did not want to marry Rodolphus. Again Bellatrix struggled to regain control of her mind, "Stop!" She shouted and the image switched to that of her laughing. She was with her sister Narcissia most likely gossiping. Bellatrix cracked a smile.
Then as abruptly as it happened, it ended. "Good, "Voldemort's voice chimed in. Her vision was slightly blurry. "It is appropriate to think of happy memories just remember that will not always save you, your opponent can still turn that against you at any time. At that point Voldemort's face did scrunch together. "Did your father do that often?" he asked bluntly. Bellatrix held her head down in humiliation. "Only when he was drunk, this was…quite often." The dark Lord felt rage. Almost at a point of uncontrollable. He stopped himself however. He didn't even know why that made his so irate. Possibly he cared for her more that he thought.