Thanks so much to everyone who has left a review, I have to say I enjoy reading them so much, it is fascinating to see the ideas that everyone has and I'm really glad that there are people enjoying it. Apologies that the updates have been taking a bit longer, I'm really busy for the next little while and it takes me so long to get anything done but I will try to keep it regular, thanks again.

Dolohov stepped into the dimly lit kitchen. It was very early morning and Voldemort hadn't bothered opening up the curtains yet to let the little light there was outside in.

"The Prophet, as requested my Lord."

The man looked tired, he clearly wasn't used to such an early start. He handed it over and took a seat at the table when indicated.

"Any updates?"

"Most of it's in the newspaper already along with a long list of casualties from our raids. The ones accounted for anyway. Makes for interesting reading. Headline news is they got Barty, there is a massive outcry now. Slughorn was arrested but it's merely a formality as they decide whether he had any involvement with you or not. There was already immense pressure on Crouch to step down, even his closest advisors and allies have been turning against him. He is still digging his heels, convinced he can turn everything around. He thinks now that the goblins have agreed to reopen Gringotts, that it will all be forgiven."

Voldemort sat up straighter at that statement. "He met with them already?"

The other man lounged back in his chair appearing very comfortable as he picked up a book that had been set on the table, flicking idly through the pages.

"Yeah, they met late yesterday evening as far as I know. Seemed to come to some settlement without meeting all the conditions they had been harping on about. Dumbledore was still sticking his neck in though, not sure what the outcome of it all was except that it's pretty much business as usual now."

He knew this news was unlikely to be good. Dumbledore had involved himself too much into the situation, it was more than just a pretence to care about equality among creatures. By now he certainly had the cup, if the goblins were opening it up, then it was gone.

"When you leave here, make sure you send a letter to the Malfoy's. They need to clear out their account, Lucius will understand this."

Chucking the book down on the table, Dolohov agreed. "Will do, my Lord."

"How is he fairing?"

"As popular as ever. With everything that's going on with Crouch, Malfoy has come to the fore. The positive article yesterday and the fact he doesn't come across as so severe and power hungry helps. His background already has the pureblood and some of the halfblood support and the fact he appears so stable in comparison now means he is really a forerunning for minister. It helps that Mitchum is out of the picture, he would have been the only real competition. Apart from those that are still questioning why Dumbledore doesn't run."

Voldemort frowned as the other man leaned back in the chair into it's back legs, the man had always lacked a sense of decorum.

"Should we start up some trouble?"

"No. Things will naturally take their course. If Crouch continues to cling onto his position, it will only make it easier to ease into power. His own people are turning on him and we will have very little to do with it."

This seemed a little over the head of Dolohov. "Right and then Malfoy is going to step in?"

"Yes."

The Dark Lord could tell there was a question niggling at his follower. Usually he wouldn't humour him so but he was feeling generous. "Ask whatever it is on your mind."

The chair came back down onto four legs with a thud. "I am just wondering my Lord, please excuse my ignorance but when we take control, do you not want to be minister?"

With a roll of his eyes, he answered. "No. I could've been minister myself, without any of this. At Hogwarts I had glowing recommendations, I had the old families and ministerial employee's offering me jobs. Within years I could have had the position for myself, legally. It's nothing though, an empty position with limited power and staggering culpability. Bureaucracy, responsibility and politics do not appeal to me."

"I understand, my Lord."

He doubted the other man did but he didn't want to labour the point.

"Anything else I need to know?"

"Nothing as of yet, my Lord."

"Then leave." He swept his hand toward the direction of the reception room and Dolohov did as commanded and left through the fireplace.

Voldemort left the newspaper where it was for the time being. He had already heard the most important pieces of information. It was a shame really that he had to set Barty up for arrest, although he had been planning it for a while, it was a pity given the younger man's keen enthusiasm and loyalty. As long as his father didn't do anything drastic such as sentencing him for a kiss, it could all be remedied. Once he had control of the government as well as the media, he could free all of his followers without concern.

Despite the early hour, he was a little annoyed Bellatrix wasn't awake yet. It was her responsibility to be up and have everything ready for him, no matter the time he chose to get up. He wasn't particularly hungry but that didn't mean she could neglect her duties.

His patience with her behaviour was waning very thin. She had spent the last day sulking. She barely acknowledged him except when it would be absolutely unacceptable not to, she seemed to avoid him as much as she could. He couldn't understand this profound change in her. He was sure it couldn't have all been because they had sex. He needed her to snap out of this mood she had worked herself into.

With determination he stood and made his way to the stairs, climbing them quietly. Her door was closed tight, only giving a light creak as he pushed it open.

He could see her quite clearly in her bed thanks to the half light coming through the closed curtains. For once she seemed peaceful as he watched her sleep, the blankets wrapped tightly around her.

"Bella."

She shuffled under the bedcovers but didn't wake.

"Bellatrix."

Her eyes blinked in confusion as they opened up. He came around the bed to perch against the radiator under the curtained window. It was cold, the weather had been warmer than usual and the fire hadn't been lit yet. He knew his silhouette was lit up for her by the early morning light outside.

She blinked again before her eyes seemed to focus on him.

Shimmying back in the bed a little, she moved further into the middle to create more distance between them. The covers were pulled to her a tighter, as if they could offer some protection.

Bellatrix said nothing, just stared at him.

"Are you still sulking then?"

Despite her tiredness, or perhaps because of it, she scowled deeply at him.

"I'm sick of seeing your moping face about the place."

She rolled over onto her back, staring at the ceiling for a few moments, her jaw was tense almost as if she was gritting her teeth. She stayed like that for a few seconds before looking back over at him. He could practically see the thoughts buzzing around her head, the angry ones she barely stopped herself from uttering.

"I think part of the problem is that you haven't been given enough to do. In a house this size with only two people, there is very little maintenance. You need something else to occupy you or this sourness seeps in. Do you agree?"

"Hmm." She responded noncommittally as she sat up further on the bed.

"Get up, sort out breakfast then get dressed properly, yes?"

With an expression now tinged with concern, she nodded.

His eyes raked over once more before he realised there was nothing further for him to say and he stalked out of the room.

Jumping back down the stairs he returned to the breakfast table. He collected the newspaper, skimming the headlines as he vaguely heard Bella quietly joining him and pottering around the room.

Apparently a day of national mourning had been called, there was to be a huge recruitment drive with the Department of Magical Law enforcement and a more extensive list of the names of victims. He noted some familiar names on the list, including that of Andromeda Tonks. She was the only Tonks on the list so he assumed the other man, the little girl and the parents they had talked of had all escaped unharmed or at least alive. There were a number of pictures showing particularly poignant scenes of the remains of the destruction.

A plate of toast was slid underneath him and he folded the newspaper, carefully placing it to one side out of the way. A mug of coffee was also placed down and he noticed Bellatrix was hovering by the sink again.

"Sit down, you need breakfast as well."

She spun around, her eyes skimming over the food in concern. "I'm not hungry yet."

He slammed his hand down on the table, the cutlery clattered loudly. There was no way he was going to let her start this up again. The sullen attitude was enough, she had her time for resentment and now she needed to remember her place.

"Sit down. Now."

Scampering over to the chair opposite him, she took a seat and with great care started to scrape butter onto a piece of toast.

Satisfied, he tucked into his own breakfast. It wasn't the feast that she normally served up, as if sensing his disproval, Bella spoke up.

"The food in the cupboards is getting low, there wasn't much to work with."

She was nibbling on the corner of her slice of toast before setting it down in displeasure. Voldemort hadn't considered that they would stay in one place long enough to run out of food. If they needed more he would have to go to a muggle shop. The thought did nothing to improve his mood.

"I have much to be doing today but I had realised that I haven't given you any further guidance on your magical skills, in particular your duelling technique. The last teaching session ended rather abruptly and you certainly needed much more help. Some advice could allow you to improve independently and give you something else to do."

The hardened look on her face softened somewhat at the offer. He knew she was confused by this change in him. He need to keep things simple, he needed to get everything back to normal. He knew her boredom would never allow her to turn down the chance to do something other than cleaning, not that she had any choice.

He wasn't doing it simply for her benefit, he was rightly concerned that she was losing her skills. Like anything, if she was not using it or practicing, any talent she had would vanish and he needed her sharp. He concentrated efforts at keeping everything normal was an attempt to crack through the icy tension between them. He was trying his hardest not to lose patience and snap.

After picking through his own rather miserable meal, he stood. "Up, come on. Make sure you have your wand. You can clean up after when I'm out."

Slowly she followed him, out into the garden. It was brighter now, the early birds were singing noisily. He could tell it was going to be a beautiful day.

Bellatrix hovered by the door, watching as he transfigured a large stone into a makeshift rubber mannequin. He set it into the ground before bestowing a number of protective charms on it to strengthen it, making it far more difficult to destroy.

"Come here."

With obvious reluctance, she approached but ensured she kept a wide berth of him.

"I said come here." He pulled on her over sized jumper, dragging her toward him and ignored the way she bristled with his touch.

"Now I got a good idea of your abilities and knowledge of spell work previously. An important and often overlooked aspect of duelling is stamina. Physical and magical stamina."

He circled around her, her listlessness was not encouraging.

"Pull out your wand."

It appeared in her hand in a flash. He pointed toward the mannequin. "That is your enemy. It is not going to fight back, not yet anyway. Get into a duelling stance."

With a long suffering sigh, she took her position. It was sloppy to say the least.

"Not good enough, straighten up, square your shoulders."

Placing a hand on the small of her back, he pushed her shoulder to tilt her into facing the right way. To his surprise she shrugged his hand off.

"Don't touch me."

She spoke with acid on her tongue, he was not used to such vehemence from her. He pulled away from her slowly, not willing to do completely as she demanded. He would not be bossed around by her.

"Enough of that, or it will be me you'll be duelling against. Now attack, ensure it is a sustained attack. Don't try anything too advanced, best to stick with basic offensive spells."

Voldemort stepped back out of the way, to give himself a better view of everything and to ensure he didn't get in her way.

Without much prodding she started.

"Stupify."

She yelped in surprise when her spell bounced straight off the mannequin back towards her. She just managed to jump out of the way.

"Yes, so as I'm sure you have realised, your magic will deflect back. Continue, at least twenty in succession."

She threw him a disgruntled look before she started again. He knew he was doing the right thing when he saw how quickly she became fatigued. By the time she had reached twenty, she was panting for air. She was quick but couldn't keep up with herself.

"Come on, you can change it up now. Again and faster this time. This is not good enough."

Her reflexes were excellent but her aim became sloppier as she became obviously tired. She had started using some non verbal spells as well, the mannequin giving a loud bang and wobbling back and forth as some of the spells hit it.

"Maintain your stance. This is just the start, you have to imagine this was a real duel. You have somehow managed to get worse since the last time. Faster, come on."

Bella gave a shout in frustration as she threw more spells, her wand movements becoming increasingly extravagant. Voldemort was enjoying watching her. Despite her exhaustion, the way she moved remained graceful, although her posture not as refined as it should be. He could see the determination in her eyes, despite the fact her body was not quite as willing as the mind.

"Alternate spells, don't create a pattern the enemy can learn. Come on, keep it up and focus that lazy aim."

His words just seemed to aggravate her and she launched into a violent flurry of spells, as if keen to prove herself.

"Imagine this was your enemy, fight it like they are standing before you."

His eyes flicked from the mannequin back to her for just a moment as the rate of magic seemed to increase. He almost missed it when one of the numerous spells hit the mannequin and it exploded in a shower of fire. He almost jumped at the loud explosion it gave and as she stopped firing spells, he could see nothing of it left.

"It seems you have had enough then."

Bellatrix bowed over for a moment to try and catch her breath. The sun was becoming much brighter as it rose in the sky and he had to raise a hand to his eyes to stop the glare.

"Let's go back inside."

She trailed behind him and as soon as they were inside, she got a glass of water. He could see a sheen of sweat and her cheeks had become very flush. She was probably regretting wearing such a heavy jumper now.

"I think you have become lazy whilst you have been here. You could barely keep up pace. You should keep up practicing yourself, if we were to become caught up in a fight, you would be a liability to me and I would be forced to leave you behind."

He moved back to his seat, pleased when he saw some genuine worry at the prospect. She tensed under his scrutiny as he considered her for a few moments.

It was interesting to him, how despite her animosity toward him, she had wanted to impress him. She needed to prove herself and fulfil his commands. In fact it was a personality trait that he had never really considered before but he could understand how it developed and probably went a long way to explain her reluctance to join his forces.

"You like to please everyone don't you, you try to prove your worth. You think this is the only way people will like you?"

She opened her mouth to argue before snapping it shut, perhaps realising he was right. He could see she was wrestling with something inside. Though he usually enjoyed this inner turmoil in her, he was concerned as he knew it likely involved events that he was just not ready to be confronted with.

"It shouldn't matter if people like you, that's not important. Respect, even fear is what you should seek."

Voldemort turned away from her then. "Go upstairs, clean up then do whatever work you have to do."

Bella did as commanded immediately, obviously keen to be out of his company as soon as possible. He thought she had disappeared when her voice caught his attention.

"There is nothing wrong with being liked, or wanting to be liked."

Before he could respond, she had vanished out of the room for good. He wanted to argue with her, he wanted to make her understand that he was right. But he knew when to give things up as futile and he had bigger issues with his servant than this.

Voldemort walked into the reception room, it was dimly lit by the light of the roaring fire. The weather outside was becoming warmer but at night a chill remained and he had to admit that the fire was a pleasant comfort.

He had spent most of the rest of the day out and hadn't spoken to Bellatrix since their impromptu training session. She ignored his entrance but it didn't quite feel so much like she was deliberately being obtuse. She was sat on the ground, leaning back against the armchair in front of the blazing fire.

She was scrawling intently into what look like the notebook he had given her at Christmas time. He hadn't seen it since then and he was surprised she still had it.

Her eyes flicked over toward him above whatever she was doing before going back to ignoring him. Deciding that he could have a moment for himself before he pulled out the heavy books again for his research on the potion, he sat in the other armchair facing the fire.

It was rather peaceful, the crackling from the wood burning in the fireplace and the soft scratching from the pencil Bella was writing with. He glanced sideways at the notebook again, wondering why he had given it to her. Though he supposed it was nice she had something to do, it irked him that she had a place where she put her own thoughts. For some reason that did not sit right with him, as if he should be privy to all her ideas.

He could have sat like that for most of the night, in fact he was sure he would have dozed off had it not been for an incessant tapping that started.

Both of them froze, looking at each other in confusion. Realising that it was coming from the window, he jumped up in alarm. Outside was a large tawny owl incessantly tapping on the glass. Despite his warning to his followers, he wasn't angry but alarmed. For someone to disobey his direct order meant something was seriously wrong.

Opening the window, the owl squawked and flapped into the room before settling on the top of the armchair, holding out it's leg. He grabbed it inpatiently, the bird having enough sense not to hang around and wait for a treat. It took off back out the window and into the night.

He didn't recognise the messy writing and it took him a moment to discern the words.

My Lord,

They have found you. I overheard Dumbledore in Snape's office, they know you are in Devon. They were heading to an Order meeting and then planning to raid a number of likely locations. It seemed probable that they know where you are and I doubt it will be very long until they assemble, especially by the time this message has reached you.

Wormtail

Frowning at the message, it took a moment for it to sink in. As soon as he registered what it meant, he threw the scrunched up note into the fire. He cursed himself for having lingered unnecessarily in one place, he had become too comfortable.

"Get up. We need to leave now. You literally have one minute to pack up everything you need. One minute and we are leaving, whether you are ready or not."

"W-what?" She stood up slowly without the urgency he had expected.

"We need to go right now. The Order is on their way. They will kill you if we take too long. Make sure you get the bag."

Despite the urgency, she still seemed puzzled although she did move toward the stairs. He headed straight for kitchen and with a sweep of his wand summoned all the books and half attempted potions he had lying around. He headed up the stairs himself, there was nothing of value in his own room except the bag which he knew Bellatrix would have.

Instead he headed straight to her room. She was hovering around the bag which had been sat on the bed, putting random things into it. She lacked the urgency he expected as she seemed to aimlessly toss things into the bag. It was as if she was under water, her movements slow.

Voldemort flicked his wand and the books and potions flew smoothly into the bag.

"It's the Order that's coming?"

He paused in confusion for a moment. "Yes, Dumbledore and his rebels."

Thoughtfully, she picked up the bag and threw it over her shoulder. "They know where we are?"

Ignoring her question, he responded. "I hope you have everything, we are leaving now."

He started to make his way across the room to grab her for side along apparition when a blast shuddered through the entire house. He could sense wards encapsulating around them. He hadn't put any of his own up, only protections to stop detection by muggles and aversion spells. He was sure any more extensive magic would have only drawn unwanted attention.

Bella had been knocked to ground by the force of the bombardment and the entire wall through to the stairs was cracked and buckling.

Another explosion hit the building, there was a crash and he was sure the old muggle building was collapsing. Fine dust filled the air. He had to get to the floo network, he didn't want to fight the order whilst they were so outnumbered.

"We need to get to the floo, to Malfoy manor."

Though he shouted it, he wasn't entirely sure she could hear over the commotion. Her eyes flitted around before she climbed to her feet unsteadily.

"What are you doing Bella?"

She ignored him as she sprinted toward the door and he suddenly understood exactly what her intentions were. A spike of terror ran through him as he tried to convince himself she wasn't that stupid.

"Bellatrix, don't do anything stupid."

As if she didn't hear him, she continued toward the door. With a spell he knocked her face forward onto the floor which ominously cracked underneath them. The windows shattered as he watched her try to crawl towards the door.

"What are you doing? They will kill you if they get half a chance, they are not your friends."

He managed to grab her ankle as she struggled against him. "I don't care. I don't care what they do."

She seemed intent on fighting against him, of going to them. At this point he genuinely wasn't sure what they would do to her if they saw her but they would know the information she harboured would be invaluable.

"You will when they torture you to death."

At that moment the wall behind them exploded, covering them in debris. With a vice like grip on her ankle, he tried clambering to his feet. Outside he could see two people on broomsticks aiming their wands towards them.

"Hey, they're here!"

He recognised one of them to be Frank Longbottom, the man kept turning up everywhere. The woman with him started firing off curses which he easily deflected. Realising they were behind them, Bella tried to clamber over him to the enemy. It didn't seem to phase her at all that there were hexes flying towards her.

Somehow he managed to stand them both up, grasping her around the waist to stop her escape as he defended them. It was essential that they got away now before he was faced with all of them. He countered their curses, sending a few of his own back. The woman was too slow to dodge his spells, it was clear she was an amateur with regards to flying. Her broom splintered underneath her and she dropped out of the sky.

Bella struggled fiercely and he simply stupefied her, holding her weight to him. There was no way he could let her get away. With his focus split, a stray slicing curse broke through his defences, cutting deeply along his thigh.

With a scream he launched a powerful curse, a whirlwind of high energy magic blasted out and obscuring his vision of the other wizard.

He knew they would know exactly where he was now and took the few seconds reprieve he had to lift Bella, ensuring she still had the bag and ran into his bedroom. The room was half rumble, the ceiling had completely disintegrated but fortunately the fireplace was still intact.

Grabbing a fist full of powder he threw it and jumped in. He had never travelled with someone else before and it was very disorientating. Fortunately they landed out in a heap in a room he recognised. He had enough foresight to ensure the fireplace would be destroyed by their travel, the Order would not be able to trace them.

"My Lord?"

He climbed to his feet, straightening up as he faced Lucius Malfoy. He glanced at the unconscious and filthy Bellatrix at his feet as he struggled to contain his fury.

"We will be staying for a few days. Ready my chambers."

Though undoubtedly confused, Lucius nodded somehow sensing now was not the time for questions. "I will let Narcissa and the elves know. You are most welcome my Lord, please make yourself comfortable."

His eyes drifted down towards the small puddle of blood that had grown under the Dark Lord's leg. Testament to his diplomatic skills, he said nothing and left the pair of them to gather themselves up.

Voldemort watched her for a few moments. He could not believe the way she had behaved, he had not expected such disloyalty and to willing put herself in harms way was preposterous. He would have to wake her but he was still unsure what he wanted to do with her.

Part of him considered throwing her down in the dungeons as a punishment, though a small part of him felt this would be a punishment for himself as well. Undoubtedly he would torture her, he would have to make it clear he would never let her go, that he wouldn't accept any attempt to escape.

With a sigh, he collected the bag, turning when he heard someone approaching.

"My Lord, welcome back. I wanted to let you know that your suite is ready for you, we keep it ready specifically for you." Narcissa Malfoy kept her eyes firmly on his chest, he knew she had seen the blood and Bella's unconscious body on the ground yet she managed to avoid comment. She was wearing a long, neat black dress, it appeared too formal to wear around the house and he half wondered if he had ruined whatever engagement she had.

"Good."

"Would you care for anything to eat? Or anything else I can help you with?"

He shook his head, when Bella was awake and dependent on the condition he decided to leave her in, she could sort out everything for him.

His host left him to it and he levitated Bellatrix up, walking them up to his chambers. It was exactly as it had been the last time, the small cot in the main room left for Bella and his own master room adjoining.

He dumped her unceremoniously on the floor, trying to calm his breathing as he debated what to do with her. The panic he felt at her attempt to abandon him was frightening and he knew it wasn't all entirely related to the information she had.

Taking a deep breath he flicked his wand. "Renervate."

She gasped as she woke, sitting up as she looked around taking in her bearings. When she realised where she was and the events that had happened, she shrunk back a bit.

"What exactly do you think you were doing back there?"

"I…I…" She trailed off, obviously nothing she could come up with would simmer down his rage.

"Do you have any idea what you were doing?" He rubbed his forehead in frustration as he tried to make something he thought was obvious, clear to her. "Those people were not there to save you, they were not there to help you in anyway. They were there to kill me and to kill you. If you were lucky. If you weren't and they caught you alive, they would torture you. You know that the government has just legalised the use of unforgivable curses on suspected death eaters? Then if you survived all that, they would stick you in Azkaban to rot."

She visibly shuddered at the idea.

"What on earth were you thinking running into spell fire, they were shooting to kill."

Her eyes were twinkling with unshed tears as she shouted back at him. Her voice sounded constricted as if her throat has seized up. "I don't care, I don't care if they were going to kill me. I can't stay, I can't bear it."

It was not at all what he wanted to hear. Voldemort could not understand where this near suicidal intent had come from. "I will give you a taste of what they would have done to you, if you had your way. Perhaps it will make you think twice. Crucio."

The room rang with the sound of her high pitched screaming, it only lasted a couple of seconds before even the sheer effort of that seemed too much whilst she endured such pain.

He held it for a brief second, only enough time for her to catch a breath before he started again. She writhed around on the floor, ripping at her clothes, her skin and her hair as if there was some stimulus she herself could removed to halt the agony.

The tortured woman was panting for air by the time he stopped. Her eyes where glazed as she tried to come around from the pain and he could see aftershocks rippling through her body.

As he took a break, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do now, he was struck down himself. A terrible deep ripping pain struck him, tearing deep in his chest through to his back. The almost familiar horrible feeling was now only a distant pain, something like the pain he imagined amputated limbs developing. The hollow, empty feeling left behind caused him to stumble back and collapse onto her small bed.

He grasped onto his chest for a few moments, trying to catch his breath. Fortunately Bellatrix was still on the ground, only starting to come around.

So another horcrux was gone, they hadn't managed to catch him themselves so they had destroyed a piece of his soul instead.

A spike of panic ran through him suddenly and he summoned his bag towards him.

"Accio diadem."

Despite everything, he managed to relax as the ancient tiara flew out of the bag and he caught it in his hand. It was a small mercy that it was a horcurx he already knew to be lost that was destroyed. The cup was gone now, his only protection between immortality and death was the diadem and his failed attempts at a potion.

Bellatrix coughed lightly as she managed to sit herself up. Turning the diadem over in his hands, he knew he would have to face whatever was going on with Bella at some point but now that she was safe, it could wait.

"Stay here, make sure everything is in order."

She coughed again before pointing to his leg. "You're hurt."

Voldemort had forgotten about that. His robes were covered in congealed blood and he ripped them open further with his wand to heal the wound. It oozed sticky blood and even as it closed over with his healing magic, the pain shot down his leg.

He hissed lightly, wishing he had waited until he wasn't under her curious gaze before he had done that. With a huff he left her alone on the floor while he went in search of Malfoy.

"I must say, for once I am not filled with disappointed revulsion at the sight of you. Sit down." He waved a hand to the armchair opposite him, the first time he was sure he had ever offered Peter Pettigrew a seat.

The scruffy, weasel of a man gladly accepted the offer. He was of course anxious but he held himself better, no doubt the warning he had sent left him with a sense of security.

"Despite your good work contacting me with eminent details of Dumbledore's intent to attack, I am disappointed it came so late and how little other information you have been able to give me. You are in the heart of it yet you have given me so little."

Wormtail squirmed for a moment under his Lord's intense glare.

"Tell me what you have learnt."

Clearing his throat uncomfortably he launched into it. "It has been difficult. I have not been able to gain access to Dumbledore's office which is inevitably where most seems to be going on. I have caught snippets of things in Snape's and McGonagall's office. They were shaken by the attack, it was unexpected. They have been increasing their recruitment drive, the outrage has gained them a few new people but the fear is halting there progress. I learned that Dumbledore predicted you were in Devon given the deaths of the Flamel's. He seemed to have pinpointed you down to an exact location more or less."

The other man paused for a moment at the look that passed across Voldemort's face.

"They have talked about a stone and a cup."

"What exactly have they said?"

Wormtail frowned as he tried to remember everything he had heard. "Something about how the stone couldn't be used. That it has come sort of fail safe that couldn't possibly be used by you. The cup, I remember Dumbledore telling Severus that it was a token. That they got it off the goblins and it would be destroyed as soon as they learned all they could from it."

"Go on."

"Well there's not much more than that. Dumbledore has mentioned a few times about coordinating an attack but there doesn't seem to be any proper plans. He has said he is waiting for the right time otherwise it will be futile."

"Hmm." Though it was little to go off, it let the Dark Lord understand just how much Albus had surmised. "What about Severus?"

"Well he is unsurprisingly boring to watch. Spends most of his time alone, working on potions and his classes. Though he talks to his colleagues, it seems mostly superficial. He also spends a lot of time in Dumbledore's office. It seems the headmaster really trusts him, they make plans together."

"He has a way of ingratiating himself to people. His intelligence and usefulness make people want to trust him."

Pettrigrew looked around the large parlour warily, ensuring there was no one else around. "I've heard them talk about Bellatrix Black as well."

Voldemort's eyes narrowed. Though he was immensely interested to hear what his enemies were saying, he was careful not to reveal too much in his reaction.

"I don't understand all the things they say. They have said she is valuable, very valuable and that by now she must have a greater knowledge than even Snape. Dumbledore has suggested that she is not as valuable to them as she is to you. That there are things her presence can help you accomplish. Dumbledore has suggested informing the rest of them to kill her if they get the chance, that the sacrifice of one would be be better than the slaughter of many. Severus has managed to persuade him to hold off on this for now."

That was very interesting. Obviously Dumbledore had figured something out that he had yet to grasp. The fact that the old man was willing to consider killing her made it even more important that he kept her away from them. That he kept her safe, especially from herself. It frustrated him that Dumbledore had learnt something about her that he was yet to understand, that he viewed her as an aide to Voldemort's power. The only thing he could imagine it relating to was the Stone but his pragmatic side taught him to consider other options.

Looking up at his spy at last, he spoke with clear threat. "Nothing of what you learn is to be shared with anyone else. Go back to the school, learn anything you can. Keep trying to gain access to Dumbledore's office but whatever you do, do not be found out."

Pettigrew stood nervously, hesitant as if he wasn't sure he wanted to go back. He headed for the fireplace and vanished. Voldemort knew he would come out somewhere near Hogsmeade where he could travel in his animagus form back to the school.

Immediately the Dark Lord left the darkening room and headed to his own suite within the manor. The revelations from Wormtail's visit made him more determined to fix things with Bellatrix. It was obvious her mind was cracking, no one in their right mind would choose to run into danger, into a certain death. He needed to fix her but he had no idea where to start. He was much more suited to destroying people than putting them back together.

The rest of the manor was quiet, the Malfoy's were likely hiding somewhere else within their home. He pushed open the door to his chambers.

Bellatrix was sat on her small bed in the main living area, the same place she was to sleep the last time they stayed. Only she hadn't slept there, he had moved her to his bed.

She looked up at him, the expression of contempt and fear had returned. He realised his attempt to bring a sense of normalcy had failed miserably. Perhaps he would be better suited to tackling the situation head on. He had never shied away when it came to conflict, it seemed that this unfamiliar situation needed the same tact.

So instead of glossing over things, he took a seat next to her on her bed, leaning back against the wall as she had been doing. She moved, perhaps worried about his intentions, to sit on top of her pillow and lean against the other wall facing him.

Her eyes followed him suspiciously as she tried to determine what he was doing.

"What on earth made you do that back there?"

Bellatrix shrugged as she picked at the lace pillow cover.

"I have had enough of the silent sulking. If nothing is said, nothing can be fixed. If you don't take your chance to say something, then I expect you to pull yourself together."

She was incensed by his words, her eyes flashing dangerously. "You… you want me to…" The words seemed to catch in her throat. "How can I say anything? I- I don't know how anymore. Everything inside me is fighting against itself, like there's this complete dissonance, it doesn't make any sense."

Her mouth opened and closed for a few moments as she struggled to find any words. "I have nothing to say. I don't know what you want. How to say anything. It's all just sitting here," she rubbed her chest for a moment. "All of it, this vitriol, a bitter acid just eating away at me from the inside. It wants to come out but … I don't know. I don't know anything anymore."

She burst into tears at that, surprising Voldemort. The emotions in her seemed to be fighting each other, veering from anger to sadness rapidly. He had a sense that she had an understanding of her fragile mental state and that it had taken her so much just to open up that meagre amount. He could almost sympathise, it was a terrifying idea to realise you were losing yourself, losing your control.

At a loss for what to do, he ran his hand through her soft hair for a moment. "Shh."

Dumbledore's ideas ran through his mind again and he resisted the urge to lash out at her. For a short time he could show her the mercy needed. "There are ways, I can teach you, to get release. To let things out."

Sniffling as she tried to dampen down her reaction, she didn't take on his offer. She was rightly wary and the little pride she had left would not allow her to accept help from him.

"It's late. Get some sleep, think on what you have done today, the foolishness of your actions."

He stood then to let her climb under the covers. He felt so far from her now, it was hard to believe the events of only a few nights ago. For a second he felt a spike of dread as he considered what her reaction would be when she found out he had killed her sister. Deciding he would face that situation when it arose, he left her to it, going to his own room to plan his next move.