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Hogwarts Musical Chairs: BellatrixTom (one-sided)

Relay Race: 613 words=600 meters + 1 other challenge = 610 meters

"My Lord." Bellatrix entered the spacious room in which her master was currently residing in. "I need to speak with you."

"Have you accomplished the task of which I have bestowed upon you?" He did not turn from his solitary position by the window.

Bellatrix was not afraid. "No, My Lord, but it is something personal I wish to discuss—"

"Then what makes you think I will allow you to speak to me? You have not yet fulfilled the duty I have given you." His voice was cold and unforgiving. "Leave at once."

Bellatrix hesitated and for once didn't obey her master's request. "No."

"I'm sorry?" The pitch of the Dark Lord's voice had changed drastically; it was now deadly soft. "Are you questioning my authority? Leave immediately!"

"I won't." Though his voice was piercing her heart like shards of ice, Bellatrix was relentless. "I will not leave until until I receive what I want."

"And you think behaving like a child will achieve that goal?" Her master chuckled humorlessly. "All right, I shall humor you just this once. What is it that you must absolutely discuss with me?"

The sardonic reply made her flinch. "My Lord," she began cautiously, "have you ever loved?"

He did not respond for a moment, which made Bellatrix wonder if he had even heard her.

Then came the faint, icy rebuttal she'd been anticipating. "Lord Voldemort does not love, Bellatrix. He believes that power conquers all and there are those too weak to accept it."

He did not mention him by name, but Bellatrix knew he was referring primarily to the Potter brat.

"But surely you must've loved once," she pressed, "Surely you believe in its existence?"

He was silent for another moment before another frosty reply came out. "It is there, but only fools and weaklings are blanketed in it. The rest of us don't need it; we are stronger than that."

Bellatrix nodded reluctantly. She had seen love at its maximum height and at its lowest. She knew love came in sacrifices, which was what she had done for her Lord. But she didn't receive any acknowledgement for it.

"My Lord?" Bellatrix knew she was treading in dangerous territory, but her master's take on love intrigued her. Was there something causing this belligerent outlook?

"You haven't answered my first question, my Lord, have you ever loved?"

This answer was relayed quickly. "No, Bellatrix. Why are you bothering me such insignificant, meaningless questions?"

She'd crossed the line.

"I was—curious, my Lord. If you wish it, I will leave your chambers immediately."

"Exactly what I asked of you the first time." He turned his head and Bellatrix shivered voluntarily; his scarlet eyes were boring into her own. "Leave now, and don't return until you have adequately performed what I want you to do."

"Yes, my Lord." She bowed respectfully and retreated from the room, the murky answers she had retrieved from him burning in her mind and frustrating her.

Why was he so closed off? Had something happened in this past to change his opinion on love? Or had he been born like this? Her mind didn't do her any favors as she contemplated what had made him like this.

Falling in love was one of things humans had no control over; it was nature's way of telling them there was hope and light. Love was a saving grace; it could illuminate a path even in the gloomiest of times.

Bellatrix had seen what love could do; it was a powerful force. It could break some people and strengthen others; love could even mean the difference between life and death.

She sighed. Unrequited love was hard.