A/N: FINALLY, an update! Sincere apologies for the delay...college has begun again and I have a very cute and demanding puppy called Bella, who doesn't always appreciate it when my attention is focused elsewhere... (I know, I asked for it when I named her!) I'm actually not completely happy with this chapter to be honest...I hope it's just me being fussy, and that it's not terrible to read...the next chapter will be more entertaining, I promise ;)
On a equally frustrating note, I'm making a last ditch plea for reviews-with over 400 hits I would appreciate readers taking a minute to let me know their thoughts-good or bad-I'm open to constructive criticism and plot ideas. As always, many thanks to my loyal and lovely reviewer, Ella Rosier-this one's for you =D
-Chapter 9: In which Voldemort issues Bellatrix some crucial advice, and Snape makes himself useful.
"Oh Bella," Voldemort chuckles. "That was...truly inspired...quite entertaining, actually."
Her eyes are bright as she gazes at him, cheeks flushed from her enjoyment and pride at the praise she receives.
"My Lord! Thank you for accompanying me! Knowing that you that you were there with me...it...it gave me a new sense of power...I felt..."
He watches, bemused, as Bellatrix struggles to find words to express her feelings.
"Immortal?" he suggests, grinning. He had sensed the shift in her mind from the moment she'd confronted the blood traitors-she always oozes confidence in any duel, but this time had been different, he knows...she had felt completely and utterly fearless, reassured by his presence, he had assumed. Even if her formidable skills as a duellist had for some reason failed her, no curse would have touched her with him watching in the shadows.
"Yes!" she exclaims, hands waving about as she gestures madly. "It was as if...with you by my side...I felt...as though nothing could happen to me..." she says, suddenly slowing in her speech. She looks at him then, eyes filled with a new sense of wonderment, and also, conviction.
"Careful Bella, immortality is a dangerous thing," he hisses. "After all, in order to achieve that first step to immortality, part of you has to die," he says, grinning maliciously.
"My Lord?" she asks, slight confusion knitting her eyebrows.
"You must remember, Bella, the next time you battle in my presence, I may be otherwise occupied. The sense of security you felt tonight is a penetrable armour-even in my presence, and with your skill, you are not immortal..." He pauses for a moment, considering her before he continues. "A curse can still kill you-even if I am mere feet away..." As he says the words, a foreign emotion strikes what blackened shards remains of his heart. The thought of Bellatrix, his most faithful, dying in his presence...death would be too generous for her murderer, he knows that much, recognises the anger in his veins, at least.
She nods slowly, before she speaks. "Master, forgive me, but I cannot help it," she says apologetically. "You know I live to serve you-to die for the Cause would be my greatest honour! Fighting in your name..." she pauses in the middle of her passionate rant. "I know I'm not immortal, Master...but in your presence, fighting side by side with you...I can't help but feel as such." She grins slyly then, before continuing flirtatiously. "Quite an effect you have on me, My Lord."
He chuckles darkly at her words. "Indeed it is, Bella." He neglects to voice the other thought that crosses his mind-I hope it won't be her downfall.
"Damn it woman! Can't you answer me?WILL HE BE ALRIGHT?"
Try though he might, Sirius cannot calm himself. Distracted by Bellatrix's insinuating taunts, neither he nor Remus had truly realised the extent of the damage to Peter's arm till it was almost fatal. It was only once they'd healed his broken legs and tried turning him over that they'd realised the severe blood loss he'd encountered-though she'd hit his arm with a single curse, a different vein in his body had slowly opened with each passing minute. Any spells they'd cast had merely succeeded in making the bleeding worse, and half blind with fear and terror, they'd apparated to 's in what had seemed like the longest twenty seconds of their lives. They'd arrived drenched in blood, oblivious to the alarmed and horrified faces around them; screaming for someone, anyone, to help them. The Healers had immediately conjured a stretcher and whisked Peter away, shouting for blood replenishing potions and a whole range of other things that Sirius hadn't understood.
Remus, though equally shaken, had had the good sense to send a Patronus to Dumbledore informing him of the situation. Mere moments later, the Headmaster had arrived, with Severus Snape in tow, and immediately made their way to Peter's room. Sirius had hardly been able to contain his rage at the sight of that greasy git, and true to form, Snape had been unable to suppress a sneer at him; albeit a less hateful one than normal.
That had been ten minutes ago, and having heard nothing, Sirius had finally cracked.
"That's our best friend DYING in there!" he roars.
"I know that, Sir, it's just that-"
"DAMN IT!" With a vicious wave of his wand, Sirius blows up one of the wooden chairs in the waiting room. Splinters of wood soar across the room, and giving a small squeak of fright, the Healer casts a quick Shield Charm over herself. Remus, meanwhile, used to the notorious Black temper, continues to sit in silence, holding his head in his hands. It is only when he suddenly hears Dumbledore's voice that he finally looks up.
"Calm yourself, Sirius, Peter will be fine." Though his words are as kindly spoken as ever, the customary twinkle is noticeably absent from the Headmaster's eyes.
"He will?" Sirius chokes. "How'd you-there was so much blood, I-"
"Severus has seen this type of injury before," Dumbledore says softly. "He was certainly of considerable assistance to the Healers tonight...though they may well have saved Peter by themselves, Severus helped slow the rate of blood loss, at any rate." He smiles slightly then, peering at Sirius over his half moon spectacles. "Perhaps some gratitude is in order, Sirius?"
As if on cue, Snape appears, his long robes billowing behind him as he walks. Upon seeing him, Sirius manages a stiff nod, and a curt "thank you," while Remus, still white-faced, leaps to his feet, and shakes his hand, murmuring "thank you Snape" repeatedly. Half hidden behind his curtain of dark hair, Snape gives a slight grimace before asking, "Who, may I ask, were you three unfortunate enough to encounter?"
Though Sirius is obviously grateful towards Snape, he doesn't miss the hint of mockery in his voice. At the thought of his cousin, fury rises in the pit of his stomach, twisting his organs furiously. Tapping his wand against his thigh, he turns away and strides towards the exit, ignoring the concerned look on Dumbledore's face, and Remus' anxious one. This time, he blows up the glass doors of the hospital as he leaves.
"Ah," Snape says silkily. "It was dear cousin Bellatrix then..."
