Author's Note: Hey readers! It's that time of week again. Happy Friday! Hope you all had a pleasant week. Mine was disastrous but thankfully that's over now and the break has finally arrived! I can now sit down and write a bunch of chapters because I've really missed this story. I can't say yet how much I'll update exactly, but hopefully a lot, as my aim is to do one chapter a day, if not more. All I know is that I'm feeling very motivated. Also I'm sick right now so staying in bed all day really helps me to write with no distractions. We'll see how it goes.

Hope you like reading this chapter as much as I did writing it! It's got to be my favourite, by far. Please review and Happy Reading! Also, be warned for the minor sexual content.

PS. The Single Fanboy, I dedicate this one to you. Thanks for sticking by this story thus far.

...Tom waited. The Death Eaters exchanged a few looks.

"The Ministry found out about this, sir," said Avery. "They've…they've declared war. The Ministry of Magic has officially declared a Wizarding War..."

CHAPTER 25: THE WIZARDING WAR—PART 1

The shrieking was louder than ever. Feet belonging to unknown characters were being dragged across the floor. Cackles of laughter and shrieks of loyalty filled the air. Unidentified men shouting that they got a couple of more. Mothers wailing at the deaths of their babies. And blood . . . everywhere.

He looked around helplessly from under the bench. He was so petite, fragile, weak, and helpless. And watching as his loyal Death Eaters were rounded up by aurors was hard enough without having to do it from the body of a cat—and a skeletal cat, at that. Though, the cat was small enough to remain concealed under the bench and so Tom kept its big yellow eyes firmly on Rodolphus and Bellatrix who were wailing on the bundles of ropes that were sinking into their very skins.

"TAKE THEM AWAY!" shouted a tall, moustached man Tom did not recognize.

The two were picked up and dragged away from the riotous scene. Both of them were now laughing that they would be back one day. Tom tried to look for his wand but it was nowhere to be found. He did not understand what was happening. Where had everything he worked towards gone to? Where were Avery and Rowle and Rosier when he needed them? And why on earth was he now struggling to survive as a barely human thing?

"WAKE UP!" hissed a loud voice in his ear.

Tom jerked awake. The room was abysmally dark and cold. Nagini was slithering around by the door, apparently excited about something. Tom looked down at his long legs covered by the black of his cloak. He touched his face with his long-fingered hands and felt the familiar features—his noselessness, his bulging red eyes, and his smooth, cold skin.

He was alive. It had only been a dream. But my, what a dream. He had never had one like it before. His mind sure was creative.

"My lord!" Nagini hissed again.

"What?" he said, still looking down at his long-fingered hands.

"It's morning!" Nagini replied from the doorway. "It's time to get up! You have a big day ahead of you!"

It took Tom several minutes to grasp just what Nagini was referring to. Of course. How could he have forgotten? Today, he—along with his main Death Eater group—were going to break into the Ministry of Magic and kidnap a ministry official who'd been writing some nasty things about them in the Daily Prophet. Though they'd done their research and learned that she was a half blood, they could not wait to use her as a demonstration for the kids during their next dinner party.

Tom slid off the bed and grabbed his wand. He crossed the room and gently stroked Nagini.

"Thank you," he said in a Parseltongue whisper.

He left the room and trotted down the stairs. As he walked, he conjured up a travelling cloak with his wand and had it wrap itself around him. He stopped in the kitchen, thought for a moment, and then disapparated.

He landed in a dark alleyway in London. He could hear muggle cars honking in the distance and people shouting holiday greetings at each other. A cat screeched somewhere in the distance and some men yelled. Tom casually strode out of the alleyway and walked along the snowy muggle street, keeping his head bowed beneath his black hood so that none of the muggles would see his unusual facial features. After several minutes, he finally reached the spot agreed upon several weeks before. He made his way to the back of a festive muggle shop until he reached another alleyway, this time crammed with people. His people.

"My lord," they said in unison, all of them bowing their heads.

Tom fixed the hood on his head and nodded.

"Let's go."

The riot was like music to his ears. The Ministry of Magic had not expected it at all, and as the Death Eaters barged into the main headquarters, witches and wizards everywhere began to shriek with terror. They tried to run but the Death Eaters were too quick for them. Tom walked casually along as curses were being hit from every angle. He, Avery, Lestrange, Rowle, Rosier, Davis, Selwynn, and Nott were headed straight for the office of the doomed half-blood witch. She recognized them immediately and tried to make a run for it but Tom had quickly raised his wand and said, "Crucio".

The witch curled into a ball on the floor and her screams were drowned by the riot out in the corridors.

"Now," Tom said, lifting the curse.

Selwynn and Davis picked up the trembling witch and carried her out of the room. Satisfied, Tom and the others followed. The auror office had clearly not been alerted yet of the Death Eater group's intervene. Tom took advantage of this and instructed his forces to retreat. They ran for the fireplaces and disappeared behind the green flames before any of the Ministry workers could grasp them. By the time the last of them had disappeared, and Tom and his main group were the only ones remaining, the hall had grown silent. The remaining workers were either crying in the corners with fear that they would be killed, or flinching at pain as they lay in pools of blood. Smiling, Tom waved goodbye to them and then casually walked into the green flames of the fireplace on his right.

"Happy New Year!"

The glasses clinked together and the Death Eaters cheered loudly. It had been a most successful riot. The half-blood witch lay on the large table in the middle of the party room of Nott's mansion, barely alive. The Death Eaters were all gathered around her with drinks and food and holiday greetings. Tom was again standing in the corner, holding a glass of wine in his crossed arms. He was not big on celebrating things, but tonight, he was very happy indeed.

The next couple of months zoomed on by just as quickly as the first couple had. There was at least one riot every week, and each riot was as successful as the last. Still, Tom felt that something was missing. Even though he was at the very top of the Wizarding World now, and even though his Death Eaters were the most feared group in the history of magic, and even though they were celebrating virtually every single night, Tom felt that something was off. And, he was sure that this had something to do with the fact that Dumbledore had still not acted.

Dumbledore remained shut up in his pathetic castle, doing whatever it was he did these days. He was only a foolish, incompetent old man. But still, it bothered Tom that he wasn't doing anything. Everyone by now was aware of the war. The Ministry of Magic had come up with safety procedures, though they were useless against the Death Eaters. People with muggle blood in their systems were in hiding. Everyone everywhere knew the name Lord Voldemort, and children were already afraid to speak it. It was all that Tom could have hoped for back when he'd attended Hogwarts himself. But still...wasn't it Dumbledore's favourite pastime to play the role of the hero? Wasn't he absolutely destroyed at all the deaths and tortures that the Death Eaters had caused to date? Wasn't he planning some extravagant revolt that would put an end to the deadly war that had spread throughout the country?

"You're afraid!" Nagini whispered in a singsong.

"Shut up," Tom told her as he continued to scratch with his quill at the bit of parchment in his lap.

"I know you are," Nagini went on. "I can smell it."

"I said, shut up!" Tom said, a little more loudly this time.

Avery turned to stare at him, but said nothing.

The dinner party that night was a bit more quiet than usual because the Death Eaters had lost a few loyal Black members in a riot. Orion and his wife were sitting in the corner, reminiscing about their dead relatives. Regulus had stopped coming to the parties because he now attended Hogwarts with his older brother Sirius. As Tom had predicted, Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor house while Regulus was a faithful Slytherin. The Blacks had been afraid to show their faces for weeks after they'd discovered where their oldest son's loyalties lied. However, Tom was forgiving of this incident. He had more important things to think about.

"You're intimidated by him!" Nagini teased again.

Tom set down his quill and looked the snake in the eye.

"If you don't shut up right now, I will cook you."

Nagini seemed to be laughing at him as she curled around his feet.

"You would never," she hissed. "You like me too much."

"Not that much," Tom muttered, returning to his notebook.

An hour later, the Death Eaters began to depart from Nott's house. It was already very late and they were planning for their next riot to take place the following night. As the last of them left and it was only the main group left in the sitting room, Tom put down his quill again and eyed the drawing he had made. A black skeletal snake, whose tail was tied in several twisting knots, was staring back at him from the parchment. It seemed to shriek terror and agony.

"That's brilliant," Rosier said, as he sat next to Tom and eyed the drawing. "What's it for?"

"I haven't decided yet," Tom told him without looking up from the drawing.

"It looks sort of like a mark…" said Rosier, thoughtfully.

"A dark mark," corrected Lestrange, who'd come to stand beside him and now eyed the drawing as well.

"Indeed, it does," said Tom, slowly. "Where did you come up with that, Lestrange?"

"Where else if not from your creative mind, sir?" laughed Lestrange, sitting down too.

Tom smiled slightly. He suddenly had a thought. Sure, the wizarding world was in conflict right now, and sure, they were aware that a group called the Death Eaters were responsible. However, no one seemed to know exactly who was a Death Eater and who wasn't. They certainly had the element of surprise on their side. But there still was a part of Tom that wanted to make sure the other side knew exactly which crimes the Death Eaters were responsible for. He had a sense of pride in them and wanted them recognized as his achievements.

Tom sat up, holding the drawing in the air.

"Avery, come here," he said.

Avery got to his feet and stood before Tom. Tom pulled out his wand and stood up too.

"Hold out your arm," he instructed and Avery obliged.

Tom held the drawing in front of Avery's arm and pulled his sleeve up to reveal the skin. He then dug his wand into Avery's skin and began to whisper a complicated spell he'd read about back when he worked at Borgin and Burke's. Avery was clearly in pain for his hands were now in fists and his eyes were shut tight. His face turned slightly pink and he kept his mouth shut so as not to whimper. The others stood around, watching curiously. It seemed to take hours before the spell was finally complete, but when Tom withdrew his wand and eyed his work, a sick smile crossed his face.

Avery's left arm now existed for a black tangled snake that shimmered and moved slightly . . . almost like a live tattoo. There was some blood around the edges from Tom's spell but he assured Avery that the blood would subside in a few weeks' time. Avery held his arm as he made his way back to his armchair and sunk into it. Tom turned around to face the others.

"Who's next?"

The Dark Mark had proven to be an effective method of claiming their crimes. Tom had administered it to the left arm of each and every one of his Death Eaters. He instructed them to point their wands at it whenever they committed a murderous crime. The result would be a Dark Mark conjured into the air and would remain there for one whole hour, letting passerby-ers know that a Death Eater was there. The Dark Mark was also an easy way for Tom to contact his Death Eaters. He only needed to touch the mark with his wand and they would all be summoned to him at once, through apparition.

Tom's biggest disappointment was on March 24, 1972, when, just two years into the war, Selwynn was killed by an unknown auror member. Tom had always known that Selwynn was weak but he had never expected so little from him. Such a disgrace. The Death Eaters drank to his memory but there was no proper funeral or anything of the sort. After all, it had only been Selwynn.

A few days after the incident however, Tom's mood was lifted at once. Bellatrix Black was done her training and officially became a Deatheater. After the ceremony, she strode over to talk to Tom, and let him know that according to her cousin Regulus (who was now in his second year at Hogwarts), there were many Slytherin students who were already plotting to join after graduation. Tom nodded at her enthusiasm on the subject but continued to watch Orion and Walburga Black, standing in the corner. They were odd wizards. How hard was it to control their oldest son? He was only a third-year, after all. Did they honestly have no more power over a pathetic little third-year?

"Ahh!" shrieked Bellatrix. Tom jumped up slightly.

He had not noticed her taking his copy of the Daily Prophet, but she was now holding it open in her hands and smiling with glee.

"What?" Tom said.

"Read!" she said excitedly, and she passed him the paper and sat on the edge of the armchair next to him, sipping from the wineglass he handed to her.

It is no secret that we have all been living in a state of terror for quite some time now, especially these last two years. The Minister however is positive that all will soon come to a glorious end.

"I have reason to believe that we will be able to put a stop to this madness soon enough," he told Daily Prophet reporters Monday night after a crucial meeting with the Department of Mysteries.

Still, witches and wizards everywhere are talking about the Minister losing his touch. They are now openly requesting that Albus Dumbledore, current headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, take on the job and restore peace to the wizarding world.

Dumbledore has been unavailable for commenting on this, but fortunately, a few of our reporters were able to catch him in Hogsmeade Village last night. This was what he had to say:

"I am touched by the number of requests I've gotten, I really am. However, as I've mentioned countless times in the past, my heart belongs at Hogwarts and so my time and energy shall be kept there as well."

When asked about how he could stand aside and watch fellow witches and wizards falling to their deaths at the hands of the Death Eaters, Dumbledore responded, "I am most certainly not standing aside. It saddens me that this is what Lord Voldemort has come to. However, I feel it is important to keep things as normal and possible for the students at Hogwarts, under the current circumstances. Things have been pretty busy around here, I assure you. Right now, my biggest worry is finding a proper Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for this upcoming school year. As you may have noticed, we haven't been fortunate enough to sustain a single teacher for more than a year…"

Tom looked up from the paper, a little stunned. Bellatrix was beaming at him.

"How did you—?"

"I met you that night when you went to ask Dumbledore for the teaching post, do you remember?" Bellatrix interrupted.

"And?" said Tom.

"And later I found out that you had asked him for the teaching post and that he'd rejected you."

"And?"

"And so I put the pieces together," said Bellatrix, simply but proudly. "You apply, you get rejected, and now the job is cursed!"

"What are you talking about?" said Tom, who now tossed the paper and folded his arms.

Bellatrix set the wineglass down and jumped to her feet, still smiling.

"Don't you see, my lord?" she said, brightly. "You placed a curse on the job. Dumbledore will not be able to keep a single teacher for longer than one year. Haven't you been keeping up with what has been happening to his staff?"

Tom shook his head.

"For my fifth-year, we had a plump old witch teaching the class and she suddenly fell terribly ill by the end of year. For sixth year, it was a tall man who was teaching us. He mysteriously disappeared by the end of that year as well."

"And?" said Tom.

"Well, this has been going on for quite some time, my lord!" exclaimed Bellatrix. "Each and every teacher has either fallen ill or disappeared or got killed."

Tom tried hard to suppress a smile but it gave in. Taking this as happiness, Bellatrix went on in her rant. Tom watched her carefully without saying a word for a long time. She was the most enthusiastic of the Blacks. Her parents were deceased, due to a riot that had occurred a few months back, but she still had her aunt and uncle and loads of cousins. Now at twenty-one years old, she was more determined than ever to help Tom conquer the world.

"…anyway, I assure you I always hated that spoiled little brat," she finished.

"Who?" said Tom, softly.

"S-Sirius," said Bellatrix, uncertainly. "My cousin?"

Tom had been watching her the whole time but it was apparent he had not taken in a word of what she had said. He had of course had his fun in the past with the occasional witch, but they had all been afraid of him. Bellatrix exhibited no such fear. None at all.

Now, Tom took hold of her hand and gently led her up the stairs to one of the spare bedrooms. He locked the door, set his wand on the desk and approached her.

"My lord?" she said, confused.

Tom moved some of the black curly hair from her face and smiled maliciously down at her. He put his arms around her and moved her towards him. He leaned forwards and put his lips to her ear.

"And then there were two," were his last whispered words before he pushed her down on the bed and took over.

Bellatrix had enjoyed every minute of it, perhaps even more than Tom had. She was very skilled for such a young woman and knew how to please a man, but it was apparent that afterwards, she had become attached to him.

From that day on, after every dinner party, Tom and Bellatrix would retreat to the bedroom upstairs. They were not quiet and they were never slow. The other Death Eaters knew what was going on and knew better than to interrupt or say anything to either of them...even as Tom dug his teeth into Bellatrix' flesh over and over again, causing several scars and scratches to form all over her body. Nevertheless, she was the happiest Death Eater these days, even as various members of her large family were getting killed off, one by one. For Bellatrix, the happiest moments were when she was Tom's to do with as he pleased. For Tom however, this was much less than that.

Though Bellatrix did have a perfect body and an equally perfect attitude towards the Dark Arts, Tom was sure that his feelings about their newly formed little friendship were very different from hers. Still, that did not stop him from possessing her body virtually every night until she collapsed with unconsciousness, too tired to carry on. They were amidst a war, after all, and men who fought in wars needed awarding.

On New Year's Eve, 1973, Tom decided to let Bellatrix in on a little secret. He needed to find a place to hide his Horcrux and the idea suddenly sprung to him. After their interactions, he turned around in the bed to look at Bellatrix and his face became serious.

"You want more?" she asked tiredly.

Clearly, she was starting to enjoy this relationship less and less. Though, Tom could not blame her. He never showed her any of the affection she so desperately fought for.

"No," he said simply. "I have to tell you something."

Worried, Bellatrix sat up and watched him carefully. There were several scratches on her face and arms from where Tom had bitten her, but she still had beauty in her figure.

"I have something I need you to keep," he said, quietly. "Something that is very important to me and I want it to stay safe with you."

Bellatrix beamed up at him.

"I will," she said immediately.

"You do understand, don't you?" said Tom, cautiously. "It is very important to me and should anything happen to it, I will kill you."

Bellatrix gulped loudly.

"I will destroy you," Tom continued, "Without hesitation."

"I promise," said Bellatrix quickly. "I promise I will keep it safe, whatever it is, my lord. I promise. I swear."

"Good," said Tom, smiling at her. He put a hand to her cheek and stroked the scar. "You were always my favourite, Bella."

The next day, Tom returned to Borgin and Burke's at an early hour and retrieved the Hufflepuff Cup from under the floorboards of his old bedroom. He had placed an enchantment on it years ago so that neither Borgin nor Burke would be able to house another resident in there. Without so much as a glance around his old bedroom, he disapparated with the Horcrux hidden inside his travelling cloak. Bellatrix was waiting for him at the front steps to Nott's mansion. He handed her the Horcrux and she hid it under her own cloak.

"What is it?" she tried to ask but Tom gave her a cold look which silenced her at once.

"Do not mention this to anyone," Tom warned.

"Yes, my Lord Voldemort," she said quietly, and then she was off.

She returned from Gringotts Bank later that night and gave Tom a little nod as she entered the sitting room, to let him know that all had worked as planned. Satisfied, Tom turned back to young Regulus who was home for the holidays, and continued with his tale of Salazar Slytherin. Regulus listened intently.

When he was finished, Tom sat back in his chair and eyed the little boy with some suspicion. Walburga Black had no doubt noticed for she casually made her way over to their side of the room and took a seat not far from them so she could eavesdrop on their conversation. Ignoring her, Tom said, "How are you, little one?" to Regulus.

"F-fine," said the boy, a little startled.

For 14 years old, he was quite bright and very obedient.

"How is dear old Hogwarts?" said Tom.

"F-f-fine," said the boy.

"And your brother?" said Tom. "What is he up to these days?"

"That worthless boy is not a part of this family anymore," Walburga announced.

Tom turned to stare at her.

"What do you mean?" he said.

"We have disowned him," said Walburga.

Tom glanced at Regulus who was now looking down at the ground.

"He ran away," the boy said quietly, "Last night."

"Ran away?" Tom repeated. "Where is he? I shall have a talk with him."

"He's with that blood traitor family," Walburga spat. She was obviously very angry about her oldest son's actions, and had no problem expressing this anger in the presence of the Dark Lord.

"Where did he go?" Tom directed his question at Regulus.

"James Potter's house," Regulus answered.

"Look at me when I talk to you," Tom snapped and Regulus quickly lifted his head and met his eyes. "Potter…as in Charlus Potter's son?"

"Yes, sir," said Regulus quietly.

Tom thought for a moment.

"He married a relative of yours," he finally said to Walburga. "Dorea Black, I believe."

"She has also been disowned," Walburga muttered in response.

"You don't say?" said Tom, who was slightly amused. "Tell me, Walburga, who else has your family disowned? How many of your relatives are blood traitors and friends of mudbloods?"

Walburga swallowed loudly.

"I'm not sure," she finally said.

"Liar," spat Tom. "TELL THE TRUTH."

Walburga had jumped in alarm but did not leave her seat. She kept her eyes firmly on the ground as she spoke.

"Cygnus' daughter Andromeda."

"Bella's sister," Tom declared.

The witch nodded.

"What has she done?"

"She…she married a mudblood by the name of Edward Tonks, m-my lord."

Tom frowned. How could witches and wizards from respectable pureblood families disgrace themselves like so by associating with that lot? He did not understand it. But at that moment, he was distracted by something he saw happening at the back of the room. Bella's younger sister, Narcissa, was laughing with Malfoy's boy, Lucius. She was giggling like a stupid little schoolgirl and he was watching her with intense hunger. The sight pleased Tom very much. Amidst all this confusion and betrayal, there were still proper witches and wizards out there who knew better than to meddle with dirty blood. Here were two examples, standing before him, both from pureblood wizarding families.

Once 1975 came around the corner, Tom had decided that if Dumbledore were to act, he would have done it by now. Pleased, Tom instructed his Death Eaters to start going after the students of Hogwarts and the villagers of Hogsmeade. Dumbledore responded by heightening up the security around the Hogwarts grounds, making it impossible for Tom or his Death Eaters to even come near them.

No one from the Ministry or the rest of the wizarding world knew for sure if the people with whom they were interacting worked for Lord Voldemort or not, and that was the way Tom liked it. Each week, the Daily Prophet reported on another sighting of the Dark Mark and several other deaths caused by the Death Eaters. Tom participated in these little adventures as well…quite a lot, now that he was sure Dumbledore was not in his way. But when Tom was a part of the adventure, his Death Eaters had the most fun.

Tom's idea of entertainment was sickening and amusing to them. For instance, they cornered a half-blood family on one occasion. Simply killing them would be no fun. Therefore, Tom resigned to using a little more advanced magic. He pointed his wand at them and cried "Legiliments!" The father squirmed and moaned as he collapsed to the floor. Visions of his son and daughter enduring the Cruciatus curse were forming in his head. Tom laughed cruelly as the man begged him to stop and his children stood nearby, sheltered by their weeping mother.

"What?" said Tom innocently as the mother watched him with fear. "It's not funny enough? Hmm…."

The visions changed. The father, now trembling and whimpering on the floor, shouted "KILL ME!" as he watched Voldemort and his Death Eaters doing disturbing things to his family.

"KILL ME! KILL ME! KILL MEEEEE!" the man shouted over and over again.

Tom lifted the curse and frowned.

"Already?" he said. "I must say I'd hoped for better resistance, old friend. Oh well."

He lifted his wand and a jet of red light hit the man. The woman who was standing in the corner shrieked and held her children closer to her. Avery stepped forwards and killed the little boy who collapsed to the ground next to his father. Bellatrix, who was cackling evilly, took on the mother, and Rodolphus, Lestrange's son, smiled down at the girl.

"Come with us," he said to her, kindly.

Her face was covered in tears and she stood in the corner, frozen and trembling.

"He said, 'come with us'," declared Tom.

The girl did not move. Feeling impatient, Tom pointed his wand at her and said, "Imperio."

The girl instantly stepped forwards as her eyes became wide with alertness.

The Death Eaters brought her back to Nott's mansion for the evening dinner party. The girl was made to hop stupidly around the dinner table as the Death Eaters cried with laughter and some even mocked her. Regulus looked a little disturbed by the sight but stood watching. Narcissa and Bellatrix were jumping around in circles, laughing wildly.

Feeling pleased with his night's work, Tom summoned a young witch who was standing nearby, laughing, and beckoned for her to join him upstairs. Just before he disappeared at the top of the stairs, he caught sight of Bellatrix who had stopped dancing and laughing, and was staring at him with complete and utter shock.

Wow, so that took a major turn, in my opinion. This must be the darkest chapter in this story yet.. As I've mentioned earlier though, I would go into detail about the horrible things that Voldemort did in the first Wizarding war. As for his relationship with Bellatrix, I feel very proud of it. She is obviously obsessed with him and obeying him...she is also growing fearful..and Voldemort is simply using her and doesn't care for love and affection. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this. Let me know if you have any questions. I will update PART 2 of the Wizarding War either tonight or tomorrow and I promise that after I end Voldemort's 'relationship' with Bellatrix, the story will be canon once again. Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and all characters and rights belong to J.K. Rowling. Thanks.