(This chapter picks up right where the other one left off, a continuation of the same conversation actually. Lots of love to Lady Cathy and Bellalover, lovely reviewers and amazing writers!)

Chapter 37

Acquisitive

"And I have Onyx..." Bellatrix said, after her master had been silent for a moment. "I... never wanted to have children with Rodolphus anyways."

Voldemort observed her, his expression completely unreadable. "Then why are you upset?"

"I-I'm not..." Bellatrix trailed off, and looked away, knowing that she could not lie to him. "I just... I had thought... maybe we..."

He said nothing, but continued to stare at her, and she looked up to meet his gaze. She found herself caught in his beauty, in his strange face that had once been so handsome, but was now dazzling. She had half expected him to laugh at her, or tell her that her that idea of having another child with him was foolish. She had even though he might even punish her for suggesting such a thing. But he did not, he simply continued to stare at her, and said nothing.

"I'm sorry, my lord." She said, after a time.

He reached out a pale hand and ran it along her smooth cheek and then through her dark hair. "Bella." He said and there was no emotion attached to the word. It were as if he said her name simply for the sake of hearing it.

And then he was gone.

Margaret Crouch had never been particularly fond of Orion and Walburga Black. Yet she had endured them over the years as best she could, for the sake of her husband. After all, it was important for her husband's career that he be in the favour of as many of the old families as possible. She knew as well as he, although he would never admit it, that it was families like the Blacks who pulled the strings at the ministry. So it was required, especially as she and Walburga had sons the same age, that they have tea together at least once a month.

Her Barty was nine years old now, a sweet and outgoing boy, at least in his mother's eyes. Regulus Black was a few months younger, and was much more withdrawn. However the two boys got along splendidly. On this particular Sunday afternoon, Barty and Regulus sat together in the sitting room at number 12 Grimauld place. The young boys were pouring over a large book about Dragons that Orion had given his son, while Walburga gossiped and Margaret listened politely.

"To be quite honest with you Margaret, I am very hesitant to send Sirius to Hogwarts next year." Walburga said, pursing her lips.

"For what reason?" Margaret frowned, "Hogwarts is a fine school."

"Yes well..." Walburga raised a thin eyebrow, "Dumbledore allows so many... muggleborns into the school." She paused and leaned forward, "I don't want my children associating with them in a time like this." She whispered.

"A time like this?" Margaret was still somewhat confused, "You mean, all the attacks on muggleborns and muggles? But surely that wont have any effect on our children." She glanced over to where her son and his friends sat, still absorbed in their book.

Walburga gave her a tight smile, "You can never be to careful about who you associate with, Margaret."

Margaret stared at her, wondering at her words. "Surely you can't mean that you support what you-know-who is doing? Didn't you hear about what happened to that auror? Moody, I think his name was? And that's mild compared to what else he's done." She looked horrified at the idea that anyone would choose to support such a man, "I mean, of course I'm proud to be a pureblood, and I don't agree with letting muggleborns into Hogwarts... but to actually kill them!"

"I am only looking after the best interest of my family, if it does indeed come to war..." Walburga said, brushing the question aside.

"What war?" Barty asked. He and Regulus had lost interest in their book and were looking curiously at their mothers.

"Nothing you need to worry about dear." Mrs. Crouch said quickly.

Barty looked unconvinced, "I want to know!" Regulus remained silent, but nodded in agreement.

"Regulus, why don't you go and show Bartemius your new chess set." Walburga gave her son a stern look, and he shrugged.

"Alright." He said, "Come on Barty."

Barty frowned and looked from his mother to Walburga again before following Regulus. Once they were out in the hallways he turned to his friend, "There is a war." He said, "I heard father talking to someone about it."

Regulus nodded, he too had heard of the war.

"I tried to ask father about it," Barty continued, frowning. They walked along a carpeted hallway and through a large door that opened into yet another hall. "But he wouldn't tell me anything, he says I'm to young." He made a face, "I don't think I'm to young. I'll be going to Hogwarts in two years, so will you, I want to know what's going on."

"I'll tell you what's going on Barty Crouch." A mocking voice said from behind them. Regulus' brother Sirius was leaning against the doorway to his room, black curls falling in his eyes. Regulus seemed to shrink slightly in his brother's presence.

"You know about the war?" Barty asked. He had never liked Sirius much, but he wouldn't say no to information about the war.

"Sure I know. I've overheard things too, it's all the adults talk about these days. You-know-who and the war."

"Who's you-know-who?" Barty asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.

"He's the man killing all the muggles." Sirius replied.

"Hasn't he got a name?" Barty frowned.

Sirius shrugged, "I suppose he must, but that's what they all call him, you-know-who. Anyways, I'm not telling you any more, you're to young." He smirked at them.

"You're only a year older than me." Regulus said softly. He hated how his brother thought he was so much more worldly and wise simply because he was the older son.

"Seventeen months actually." Sirius said, grinning wider. Barty glared at him, but Regulus turned away. He didn't feel like dealing with Sirius right now.

"Come on Barty, I still have to show you my chess set."

(A/N: Yes, I love Regulus and Barty. It'll be a little while before they become important characters, but I wanted to establish them as part of the story. I alwayed liked the idea of Reg being friends with Barty Jr. so I wanted to set that up as well.

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