Hey guys :) sorry it took so long to update. I'm having a pretty stressful semester right now, so I didn't have very many opportunities to write. Hope you all like it, I know it's a bit on the shorter side, but I thought it was a decent place to end.

as usual: I own Nothing. All rights go to their respective owners.

xoxo. BobblesAndRockets02


Chapter Seven – Making Deals with the Devil Tends not to Work in Your Favour.

Evening had set over the dreary walls of Malfoy Manor, allowing the moon's silvery light to cast distorted shadows across the court yard. The Dark Lord Voldemort stood as still as death itself, observing the scene from one of the many windows in the grand ball room. These were the kind of nights that made him appreciate having his body back the most. For he enjoyed the sullen way that fog crawled over the land. The way crows took flight. The brisk, cold air in his lungs. He found comfort in darkness; for he had hidden in it for many a year. But not anymore.

The Dark Lord had become so comforted by the grotesque scenery and the crackling sound from the roaring fire – which he had produced in the large fireplace – that he almost didn't notice Wormtail skitter into the room. Reluctantly he turned away from the moons luminous light, to face the man who would kill himself, if the lord commanded it. As much as he despised the sight of that scum bag – he had let his hair go scraggly again, and his odour was far from desirable – he had to admit that he was by far his most loyal servant. Even though he only served him out of fear.

He stood before the King of Darkness now, trying to look his bravest, though Voldemort noticed he was shaking a bit. "My Lord, they simply will not shut up! They keep on complaining about the arrangements you so graciously provided them. I told them, "You aught to be grateful" I told them my Lord. But they continue to scream, and holler. Are you...quite certain...that you would not like me to...you know...perform the Cruciatus curse?" Although he tried to hide it, Voldemort could hear the sparkle of excitement in his voice; in his eyes.

Voldemort shook his head, and placed a skeletal hand on Wormtail's head, and began to stroke the odd patches of hair that grew from the wizard's scalp. He could feel Wormtail cringe, as if he expected the Dark Lord to strike him. "No my pet. Not yet. You know my orders specifically forbade the...damaging of our guests. And what kind of host would I be, if I put my guests through such torture?" He smirked, laughing within. "Besides, if anybody is going to perform such an act, it shall be that wonderful creature Bellatrix."

"It's lovely to think that my Lord feels so highly of me." Bellatrix said in that seductive tone Voldemort loved so much. Pushing Wormtail aside, she wrapped her arms around Voldemort, and kissed him lightly. If any other Death Eater had performed such an act, they would have been dead before they could comprehend what was had happened. But Bellatrix was special. She was his perfect mate, for she was just as blood thirsty, and power hungry as he. One day, if things went according to plan, he would make her his dark queen. His goddess. After breaking the embrace, Voldemort gazed upon Bellatrix with a look of pure adoration. Or rather, the closest thing he could conjure up.

"My darling looks particularly lovely this evening." He purred. He saw her cheeks turn a lively shade of rose as he brushed on of his fingers along her cheek bone.

"My lord is too kind." She whispered, eyelashes fluttering.

The chime of the wooden Grandfather clock situated in the corner, informed them that midnight was officially upon them, and that it was time to summon the rest of his clan of followers. "Bella, my love," he whispered, "May I borrow your arm for a moment?" Bellatrix's eyes widened with joy as she thrust her right arm forward, and rolled up the sleeve of her black Victorian style gown, revealing her Dark Mark. As he pressed the tip of his want to the marvellous tattoo, he knew it would be only a matter of minutes before they were joined by the others. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy would have joined them sooner, but there had been a problem at the ministry, and it would have been suspicious if they hadn't shown. A clap of thunder erupted, and Voldemort knew it was time.

The first to arrive was Severus. A moment later, the rest followed. As everybody took their seats, Voldemort pointed to Wormtail – who had taken to quivering in a corner – and motioned for him to come closer. "Bring up our guests in exactly fifteen minutes." And then he scurried off, closing the heavy wooden doors behind him.

"My friends," he stood to address the crowd. "I am sure you are all rather curious as to why I have summoned you here. But before I tell you, I would like to tell you all a story." Before he continued, he glanced around and saw a few curious faces. For not everybody there was in on the Dark Lord's plan.

"Once upon a time, there was a man. And he had a wife. One day the man in question was given the news from his doctor that he was going to die. For he had contracted a disease that did not yet have a cure. When his wife heard the news, she was distraught. For you see, they had just gotten married, and were expecting. So they decided to find help else where. But no matter what, no matter how hard they tried, nobody was able to help him. The man's help deteriorated quickly, and the woman became desperate. She had heard of a very dark and powerful wizard who knew magic that nobody else knew. Desperate for help, they met with this most powerful wizard.

They begged him to save the man, and the wizard, a merciful man, agreed. But for a price. The wizard you see had a special intuition, and he only wanted one thing. The child in the mother's womb. For he could tell that the child would be special. Reluctantly, the mother agreed, and the wizard cured the man of his illness. Once the child was born, the dark lord confided in a few of his followers with his plan. He put the child through multiple tests, erasing its memory each time so it would not recall what had happened. These tests you see were to enhance the child's natural powers. To turn the child into a weapon that the lord could use in the future. To make sure the child would not be a danger to itself, the lord made sure its new enhancements would not take effect until its 17th birthday. The lord reminded the couple that if they broke their agreement with him, the dark lord would rain torture upon them, until nobody survived."

He looked towards the door as it opened and he saw Wormtail usher his guests into the room. "Isn't that right Mr. and Mrs. Acerbus?"

The couple looked up at him, and he could see fear in their eyes. "Please don't hurt Alice...please!" The woman cried out, her fire red hair falling in her face as she bowed her head. The man's brilliant blue eyes were filled with concern.

The Dark Lord laughed, as he walked over to the woman. When he reached her, he tipped her chin up with his boney index finger, so that she was forced to look him in the face. "My dear! You lost all ownership to your daughter the day you sold her to me! Now, I can guarantee you I will not kill her, but I make no promises that she will not be harmed, tortured. For that is one of my favourite past times." He spat in her face for effect, which sent Bellatrix into a fit of laughter. He motioned for Bellatrix to come to him, and he took her in his arms.

"Could you be a more ungrateful little bitch?" Bellatrix shrieked. "The Dark Lord did what he promised! He cured your husband! And now you continue to make more demands! I should strike you dead right now!"

Voldemort stroked her head. "Hush my pet. They are not worth it." But Bellatrix was still tense. "Of course, I have no intention of hurting the girl. For as I have said, she is somewhat of a …. Secret weapon." He chuckled. "But however, I do need you to do something for me. For you see, you are part of my plan, Mr. and Mrs. Acerbus."

They gave him a look of terror. "Us?" Mr. Acerbus said in a shaky tone.

"What do you want from us? You already have our daughter!" Cried a weeping Mrs. Acerbus.

"Oh no, I am not through with you two just yet. Because believe it or not, you two will be hand delivering her to me when the time is right. Her birthday is on the 2nd of February…is it not?" He inwardly enjoyed their sorrow. Their pain. Their regret. For making a deal with the devil, had not turned out in their favour.


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