C'est la voix d'une enfant qu'on giffle

Voldemort thought he wouldn't forget those memories nevermore. It was a sequence of terrors, one right after another – some which burned his pupils, imprinting there scenes he wished he had never seen. Others passed like breeze, not because they weren't terrible, no, but because they were repeating pieces of woes and living nightmares.

And Bellatrix, standing by him, only stared with terribly empty eyes.

-xox-

The girl looked at herself in the mirror, seemingly satisfied. Her long robes, lacy and dark, didn't hide pretty red shoes and her hair was tied up in a way that made it clear it was no regular day. She spun around a bit, and what seemed like a smile crossed her little face, making Voldemort shift uncomfortably – he had already noticed her strained expression through any situation and that smile was so different... It was even queer in comparison to the grown-up Bellatrix, who often laughed in mad delight. It was a very hopeful smile.

The door opened and she flinched nervously, turning to the newly arrived. Her shoulders relaxed when she noticed it was only Druella – beautiful and properly dressed in ceremonial robes, her hair also tied in an intricated way – though the older witch scowled slightly.

"Your posture is wrong. Try to look less arrogant and more feminine, Bellatrix."

Trixie nodded, trying to obey her mother. The Dark Lord frowned, though he understood the principles of it: looking attractive and pretty to be courted by pureblooded boys.

"Why do you always look so drowsy? Try to be more talkative today too, last party we went you were too quiet."

"Yes, mother." she replied.

Another knock, and the massive form of Cygnus entered the bedroom, proudly.

"Narcissa was calling you, Druella."

With one last severe look to Trixie, Druella left the room. Her daughter retracted a bit, looking at her father with fearful eyes. And when he stepped towards her, she babbled:

"Please, papa.. I'm already dressed, please..."

His response was to grab his wand and turn off the lights.

By the time that was over, when the only person in the room was only young, little Trixie, her long robe was creased, even torn, and her hair had become only a black mess of curls. Looking at the mirror, sadness and anger were tattoed so deeply in her little face that Voldemort wondered if she was going to smile to herself ever again.

From far away, soft music reached their ears:

C'est pas seulement ma voix qui chante
C'est l'autre voix, une foule de voix
Voix d'aujourd'hui ou d'autrefois...¹

-xox-

She leaned down the stairs, hidden by the handrail, her long, carefully brushed hair hiding her expression – and Voldemort could hear the voices of her parents, though they were out of their sight, while Trixie's hands clasped on the steps.

"I was thinking we should send her to Beauxbatons, Cygnus. She is not like her sisters, maybe it would do her good." Druella's voice was impatient, "She needs to learn manners, lady manners, to have a behaviour more similar Andromeda's or Narcissa's."

Trixie leaned more, eagerly.

"I do not think is wise to send her so far away, Druella. We wouldn't be able to know with who she would be affiliating with. At least we can get more information from Hogwarts, despite my dislike towards Dumbledore's views."

"I do want Bella to learn how to behave. She is different, Cygnus."

"Trixie is fine. Druella, I have said my final words on this matter."

The girl sank on the stairs, hiding her face in her hands, hopelessly curling up.

-xox-

The sunset sprawled it's colors into the library, making young Trixie lift up her head from the book in her hands. Her face was pale, eyes marked from a sleepless night and she shifted her weight, leaning back against the cushion, letting the book fall from her hands and on her lap – it was a big book, much unlike children's books should be, thought the Dark Lord.

"Trixie, Trixie!" Narcissa's soprano voice rang victoriously, "Oh, I found you!"

The blonde entered on their sight, bouncing her silk hair all around, seemingly exicted, though the look on her sister's face was unapprovingly and much discouraging.

"Oh, Trixie, do I bother you?"

"No, go on. What do you want?"

"What are you reading?"

"Nothing you can understand. What do you want?"

"Lestrange brothers and Malfoy are coming tomorrow afternoon!" Narcissa clapped her hands. "Isn't it great?"

Trixie seemed to take only a mild interest on the information, nodding to her younger sister – who looked disappointed for her lack of excitement.

"I always thought you liked Rudolphus! He's coming tomorrow."

"Good, now leave me be."

Narcissa sighed, rolling her blue eyes around as she left the library, humming some sort of song and making dance-steps, while Bellatrix stared at nothing, frowning in some unknown worry. The door closed and she lifted her sleeve, looking at her bruised arm with worry – and then Voldemort was surprised on how worse seemed the beating from the last one he had seen.

"How can I hide this from them?" both lord and servant heard her filled with fear whisper.

-xox-

Rudolphus took Trixie's hand – they were both sitting alone at the wooden swing by the garden. Voldemort suddenly realized he never pictured Bellatrix and Rudolphus as a long-term couple, he had never realized that they probably were together since that tender age, two kids exchanging affection. She seemed quiet, long sleeves hiding her bruised arms, long socks hiding her bruised legs, she was covering herself to try and keep her sick secret.

"Bella, are you okay?"

She nodded. He tugged her close and passed one arma round her shoulder.

"Did you read anything of those books I told you about?"

A slight smile appeared on her lips.

"Not a thing or two, Ruddy, I read all." it was possible to hear the proud tone of her voice, even arrogant.

"You always do! That's great, Bella... You'll be perfect in Hogwarts."

"Yes, yes, of course. My family expects nothing less than perfection.", and it was gone, both the smile and the sparkle in her eyes, as she replied that, fixing a cold gaze on the boy by her.

"Don't you want to be good?"

She blinked.

"Of course I do!"

"Then that's why you will be perfect."

Sometimes the Dark Lord forgot how words could affect one's mind. Trixie smiled, though she was hurt, though she was sad, though she was trapped. She smiled, passing one arm around Ruddy and making a small, stifled noise, which swiftly made her companion avert his gaze.

"You're my best friend, Ruddy."

It was possible to hear the truth underneath those childish, simple words: You are my only friend, Ruddy.

"You're my best friend too, Bella."

A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. Exams are coming up and I'm pretty busy. But here you are, first compilation of Bella's memories by Voldemort. I hope to update again in two weeks or so. Thanks so much for all the reviews, you are all great! (:

¹ Part of the song "Cri du coeur", it's not hard to find the translation on awesome Google. I love it. Same for the title of the chapter.

By the way, title of chapter 3 from "Not Dark Yet" by Bob Dylan.

Reviews are love!