Ok, better give you a warning for this chapter so - warning! I won't tell you what for, I'll just let you see... So I guess it's not really a warning but just be prepared! I suprised myself with this chapter...

Song: Coldplay, Fix You (This version works best with it: www (.) youtube (.) com/watch?v=rxS9w0bsHE8 )

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.

Chapter Ten: Branded Punishment
Lestrange Manor, 1996

Rodolphous dropped Bella roughly on the bed and then came to stand opposite her, raising his wand and disarming her before she had the chance to compose herself. He put his wand inside the breast pocket of his velvet jacket and turned his stone-cold gaze upon her. She sat up, her hair was wild as ever.

'What the hell were you doing?' she snapped, getting herself up and looking around for her wand.

'Do you not see what you've done?'

'You absolute idiot!' she continued 'Narcissa deserved to pay' she walked around to the end of the bed, still looking for her wand.

'Did I?' he asked quietly, more to himself than to her.

'I cannot see what place you had interrupting!' Bellatrix turned on him, her face held its usual crazed expression.

'Listen to me!' he shouted but despite his volume, Bella seemed to completely disregard him.

Rodolphous felt an overwhelming fury errupting in his chest. It made his whole body quiver with tension as he stared at his wife disbelievingly. How could she fail to show so much as slight apology? He stalked forward and grabbed her roughly by the arms. She looked at him a little startled.

'I've had enough this time, Bellatrix' he growled, his eyes widened in anger.

'I've heard that before' she replied in defiance. He pushed her back against the railing at the end of their bed and his grip on her arms tightened.

'This time I mean it' he spat.

'Unhand me' she said through gritted teeth. When he didn't comply she repeated it louder.

'Did I not deserve to know I had a son?' he growled in reply.

'I was going to tell you-' she began but he cut her short.

'Like hell you were. I can't help but wonder sometimes just how far you're prepared to go. Is the child even mine?' he yelled in her face, his eyes under constant lock with hers.

'What? Of course it is!'

'How can I be sure?' he continued. 'You'd give up fifteen years of your life and mine for him and you'd give up your child. I can't help but wonder what you get in return for your trouble'

'Rodolphous, it's not-' Bella began, but he interrupted once more.

'A child' he sneered 'Is that what he promised you?' he shook her shoulders trying for some response but all he got was his own rage reflected in her eyes.

'I'll give you a fucking child' Rodolphous produced his wand and bound her wrists to the bedstead.

'What are you doing?' she screeched, squirming against the locks. She looked at her hands and then up at him, his eyes were full of dangerous intent.

'Rodolphous!' he grabbed hold of her chin and made her look him in the eye. He stood between her legs, keeping them apart with his body.

'You wouldn't-' she started but he put his hand over her mouth, silencing her to muffles. His teeth were bared, Bellatrix tried not to shiver but she couldn't help it. She could see his erection against his trousers and it made her squirm. Her breathing became rapid as she watched him push back her skirt and unzip himself. Bellatrix couldn't believe he'd found the capability to do what he was doing. The game just became a lot darker than she could possibly have dreamed. She writhed and twisted but she couldn't get him to budge. His hand stayed clamped to her mouth as she tried to bite the flesh of his fingers.

'Now I'll give you what you deserve' his voice was low and full of hatred. His wife struggled against him, trying to kick with her legs but it did no good. Bella became incredibly tense as she felt him hovering just above her. He took one last look of venemous loathing. Her eyes challenged him right up until the last second. He pushed against her opening but she was too tense. He tried again and again, jabbing and pushing until he found entry. Bellatrix looked away, her eyes scrunched up as she fought the tears that were forming. Something clogged up in her chest, making it hard for her to breathe. He felt all wrong inside of her, his manic thrusting making her lower parts begin to ache. His head was bowed, one hand still cupped to her mouth, the other gripping the bedstead. He pumped in and out of her with rough, grinding movements, his breath became ragged with effort. Bellatrix had begun to bleed. Thick, red liquid ran down her inner thighs. The pain was becoming more intense every time he filled her.

Bella could feel little fragments of her heart breaking away. She was renowned for having no soul. But they were wrong. Bellatrix certainly had soul - a strongwilled and passionate one at that. What she had little of was in fact heart, she had little love to fill it with. All the love she could give was purely, solely for Rodolphous; whom in turn had always returned it with his. Now, in this battle of wills, Rodolphous found himself defeating the wrong target. With the struggle of strong-will came the death of Bellatrix's love.

His anger boiled away inside until all of it was exerted in his act. Eventually, after what had felt like hours but had only been minutes he released inside her, signalling some sort of end. Bellatrix screamed at the feeling of his climax, nausea suddenly overcame her, the sound from her lips came out smothered. He withdrew slowly and zipped himself up. Keeping his gaze lowered until finally he dared to look at her.

The look in her eyes stabbed him in the chest. She slowly opened them, unsurely. She hadn't cried but tears were still brimming on the edges of her eyelashes. Those beautiful brown eyes he adored so much were filled with heart-break. He dropped his hand and backed away. She said nothing, only took a deep, shakey breath. He freed her from the binding with the simple, solemn touch of his wand. What he'd done suddenly began to set in. Immense guilt hit his heart as she slowly with fragile movement arranged her dress. Bella's eyes were kept to the floor, her shoulder's slumped. As her usual majestic posture became that of a broken woman, Rodolphous condemned himself to hell for what he'd done. One hand clamped to her stomach, she slowly walked out of the room.

Years of fury had built up into one punishment, branded especially for her. But even she didn't deserve that. Rodolphus's head was spinning. It all felt too wrong, too surreal to be true. But it was and after playing the event over and over in his head, he pulled himself together. He had to think about Bellatrix now, he had to find her. He made his way downstairs to the dining room, running into a trembling little figure.

'Kark, where's Bellatrix?' Rodolphous demanded.

'Madame Lestrange did not say where she was to be going, Master.' the deputy-elf replied. 'She did leave something for you, sir. On the dining table' Kark motioned a frail hand out toward the long oak table.

The early morning sunshine reflected something and shone back at Rodolphus. He took two steps towards it and collapsed to his knees. His mother's wedding ring twinkled in the rays of sun.

I wouldn't have put that in there less I felt it neccassary - it wasn't my plan but it kind of fell out on the page. Somehow I wanted to represent all of Rod's bottled anger at her over the years and here it is. I do have to admit, though Bellatrix didn't cry - I did for her. See yous next time...

T x

p.s Demetrius is gonna pop up soon, promise!