Harry
I was starting to get concerned about Voldemort's behaviour. Around his followers, he was still acting like the extremely powerful wizard that he was, but when he was around me, it was as if someone switched a button inside him. He smiled more, laughed more than he ever did elsewhere. I thought he despised feelings and emotions, but this seemed to prove me wrong.

He spent a lot of his free time, not that he had a lot of that, with me, asking me questions about everything and nothing. What was my favourite colour? My favourite food? Book? It started to make me a little antsy. I liked the fact that Voldemort took the time to get to know me, but it soon became a little too much. So, being a hotheaded Gryffindor, I decided to take the bull by the horns, so to speak.

"Voldemort, are you feeling alright?"

"Hm?" Voldemort said, looking up from the book he was reading.

"Are you feeling alright?" I repeated.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Voldemort asked and tilted his head to the side in question.

"You've been acting a little strange, lately."

"Strange? Care to elaborate?"

"I thought you didn't want anything to do with feelings and things like that, but lately, that's all I've seen and felt with you. I thought you'd locked them away."

"In a way I had, not wanting to let the world know when I was feeling vulnerable or insecure. But, recently, I realised that feelings aren't as bad as I thought."

I was surprised to hear such honesty from the usually quiet man. "Really? Are you experiencing any feelings now?"

Voldemort closed the book and leant back in his seat, his eyes locked on mine. "Happiness and contentment. I think."

I raised a brow, then smiled. "Sounds nice", I said.

"Yes, it's very strange", Voldemort said, as if he'd surprised himself with his answer.

The peaceful moment was broken when someone knocked urgently on the door to the library. "My Lord! I must speak with you, immediately!" Snape's voice was heard from the other side of the door. I quickly put my mask and robe on and sat up straighter in my seat. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Voldemort do the same. A brisk 'Enter' from the man was enough for the visitor, who came bustling through the door, barely paying any attention to me. What else was new?

"What is it, Severus?" Voldemort asked.

"My Lord, I just overheard Bellatrix planning to win your affection by giving you a love potion! I fear she might've already begun, by pouring some in your drink. Clearly, her obsession with you has gone too far, My Lord."

I was speechless. She actually thought she could win Voldemort over with the help of a love potion? How stupid could she be? Well, it's Bellatrix, she's the epitome of stupid.

"What was that, Severus?" Voldemort asked, his crimson eyes practically burning with withheld fury.

"Bellatrix has been giving you a love potion, My Lord."

"Bring her here."

"Yes, My Lord", Snape said and bowed, then hurried out of the room.

I didn't know what to say. "That surely explains a lot," I mumbled, bringing Voldemort out of his rage.

"What do you mean?"

"You know, the feelings and the emotions? That must've been because of the potion, right?"

Before Voldemort could reply, the door opened once again and Bellatrix strode inside. Wouldn't she be surprised?

"You called for me, My Lord?" She asked and bowed, a small smile on her ugly face. Clearly, she thought Voldemort had summoned her to express her love for her.

"Indeed I did. I've just received some very interesting news. Something about a love potion being put in my drink. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Bellatrix?" Oh, he was furious.

By now, Bellatrix was white as a sheet, and shaking with fear. Busted.

"M-my Lord, I swear, I haven't-"

"Are you that obsessed with me, Bellatrix, that you thought you could use the means of a love potion to make me love you back?"

"I..."

"Surely, you know such a thing, and this is truly an ugly and horrible thing, can't go unpunished?"

Before Bellatrix had a chance to reply, Voldemort raised his wand and said: "Crucio."

Bellatrix's screams filled the air, and I basked in the sound. What she had done was really unforgivable.

After a few minutes, Voldemort ended the curse, leaving Bellatrix on the floor, sobbing and shaking. "That was just the beginning, Bellatrix. I've forgiven you for many mistakes, given you second chances to prove yourself, but this, this is unacceptable. I would never let something as bland as a love potion control my emotions, or my feelings. And do you know why? Because I am one of the most powerful wizards alive, and you are in a world of trouble, dear Bella."

Bellatrix seemed to have come to the same realisation. Trying, and failing, to get up, her mouth worked to say something, but no words escaped her lips. Voldemort smiled at her, not a smile he usually gave me, but a cold, cruel smile. He summoned an elf and ordered it to put Bellatrix in one of the cells in the dungeons. With a quick bow and a snap of fingers, both the elf and the witch were gone.

I studied Voldemort closely as he leant back in his seat and rubbed his face. "Are you alright?" I tentatively asked.

He looked at me for a few moments before giving a small smile. "I believe so."

I smiled back, relieved. "How come the potion didn't work?" I asked. "I mean, is there a way for someone to resist it?"

"I told you I was conceived with the aid of a love potion, didn't I? That's one reason, I assume I'm immune to its effects. And because I'm one of the most powerful wizards in the world. Magical strength plays a big part when it comes to things such as this", he said.

"Huh", I said, "well, thank God for that, then."

"Excuse me?"

"Come on, can you imagine yourself infatuated with Bellatrix? Just the thought is enough to make me gag", I shuddered as I imagined the two of them on a romantic stroll.

"Jealous, Harry?" Voldemort said and smirked at me. It seemed different this time, though. Maybe it was because of recent events, but the smirk felt less... taunting than it usually did. Also, what the frig?

"Jealous of her? No way, she's way too crazy to be jealous of." Not that I'd never thought of finding someone to spend my life with. For a while, I'd thought Ginny was pretty cute, but she seemed to like my fame more than me, and there was no way I'd be with someone as shallow as that.

Being lost in thoughts, I hadn't noticed Voldemort getting up from his chair and walked over to mine until he tapped my shoulder. I jumped in my seat and stared up at the man. "What?" I asked, trying to calm my racing heart. Besides from the time he saved me from the Dursleys', he'd never been this close to me. It was a little unnerving. I could feel goosebumps on my arms, and I unconsciously held my breath. What was going on?

"You're quite oblivious sometimes, Harry", he said and smiled at me. Not the cold, cruel smile, my smile.

"About what?" I asked, trying to glare at him, but failed. All my focus seemed to zone in on the hand that was put on my shoulder.

"Lots of things. But one in particular."

"Which is?"

When he didn't answer, I raised my eyes to his. His gaze was intense, and I couldn't look away. Not when he slowly leant closer, not when he gently cupped my cheek in his warm hand, not even when he gave me the gentlest of kisses.