It had worked, as impossible as it may have seemed. Brilliant in it's simplicity, it played on his weaknesses, his desires, his arrogance. Bella had been given a good working over that night and her knickers were under his chair as usual. Snape snatched them in the early morning hours and created the portkey. He replaced them without anyone even noticing.

Everyone was to gather at nightfall that evening. The air of anticipation was enough to make your skin crawl. Did they never get enough of their debauchery? Apparently, many of them had made a late night of it, because they had not come into the great hall for breakfast. Sleeping in, no doubt, to gather strength for the night's festivities.

oopOqoo

Snape and Hermione went over the plan again to see to it nothing was overlooked. The chair at the muggle electrical power relay was ready per Hermione's instructions to Kingsley and his Aurors. A massive storm was brewing to cover the power outage and enhance the electrical charge to Voldemort's body. After He burned, they were to come to Hogwarts as quickly as possible to report on how long it took him to die and start to collect the Death Eaters. Hermione was disappointed to not be there to gloat. Bella. Hermione insisted Ginny be allowed to take care of Bella. After seeing the look Ginevra gave at the mere mention of her name, Snape had no doubt of Bella joining her Lord in hell. All the same, Lucius had been instructed to watch and be ready to handle it if Ginny failed. He had not forgotten it was Bella who told the Dark Lord that Draco now owned the elder wand, sealing his fate. He would take her body. Dead or alive, Bella would regret it. Lucious thought she might make a useful Inferi. He could kill her as often as he wished.

A similar attack was set for the ministry building. The inexperienced skeleton crew they left behind should be easily defeated, as most of the Death Eaters were instructed to be in attendance at Hogwarts.

It was hoped that news wouldn't reach Azkaban too quickly of the death of Voldemort, or those Death Eaters would flee. A few very brave Aurors were stationed there to free the unjustly imprisoned and make a stand against any who would oppose them.

oopOqoo

Everything was ready when the men began to gather in the great hall. House elves had been told to take charge of their women at the door and nothing else. The women were taken to two former classrooms well out of sight and danger. Poppy was there to give them blankets for now, and any medical care needed. Most had not been told why they were there. Some had been bullied with tales of past orgies. All were very frightened. Poppy tried to calm them as much as she could without spilling the beans. She didn't want them to get their hopes up if it didn't work.

The mood of the men as they marched in was celebratory. Masters of their domain now and always. Each had been given a potion vial and told to keep it safe until it was time. There was wine and food laid out and it didn't take long for it to be consumed. Energy for the following entertainments. As they waited, some told fabulous tales of the revels they'd had. Others began to brag about the women under their control. How they had taken each one as they pleased. A competition erupted on who had best despoiled their virgin. The laughter and jeers were sickening to Snape who stood at the door to be sure they were all in the hall. Voldemort would arrive shortly with Bella and the show would begin.

He arrived with enough flourish and pomp for Napoleon. A silver crown on his head and silver trimmed black robes held lightly about him with a simple tie at the waist. A long silver scepter with a snake head finial with red eyes struck the floor as he walked. It was obvious he was naked underneath. Voldemort was apparently going to indulge in the orgy. Taking his pick of victims, no matter who they were, male or female. Everyone was silent as they at first bowed deeply and then clapped and cheered as He walked by. The smile on His face was hideous. Like some twisted demon from hell. The doors boomed shut behind Him and echoed in the massive room. It had been decorated with lush, draped black velvet and sparkling chandeliers.

He and Bella reached the throne together and turned around to address the crowd. She wore very little. Her shear black gown only highlighted her pale naked body that could easily be seen beneath it, tied at the waist with a silver snake. "My friendsss. We are here to correct a grievous error placed upon your bodies. You have not given me the next generation of Death Eaters that I demanded!" Many in the room flinched, but he continued to speak. "The fault is not yours, but a stupid woman who sought to thwart the future. But we shall be triumphant tonight. When you get your women back, I expect you to do your duty and share with your brothers. It matters not who sires them, but I will have the beginning of my kingdom tonight! Ssseveruss! Come forth."

Snape made his way to the front to kneel before Voldemort. "Yes Sire."

Voldemort liked the title Snape used. "Rise and fulfil your pledge to me."

Snape stood and walked to the center of the crowd to get their attention. "When I tell you, you must drink your potion and remain as still and silent as possible. I will then recite the incantation. You will. Not. Move. Until I am done. Is that clear?" There was a general murmuring but nothing more. "Let no one say the potion is tainted. If you do not produce a child afterwards it is not because of this ritual. This is my vial. I will exchange it with anyone here in the hall." Yaxley came forward, snatched Snapes vial and gave him, his own. Snape turned to Voldemort and bowed again, lowering the lights. Voldemort settled into his chair and smiled as he looked on. Bella sat on the floor at his feet, her head on his knee to be petted like a cat.

Snape spoke loudly and with purpose. "In the name of our Dark Lord, I command you to drink!" The Death Eaters chanted loudly, "To the Dark Lord" and downed the potion. They immediately felt a sensation of exhilaration and confidence. Snape began to chant in a language no one knew, not even Him. Currents of purple sparks flew about the room. Severus looked to the Dark Lord. He was preoccupied with the enchantment and hadn't noticed the port key. Snape managed to aim a few sparks at Bella and she stood up, annoyed, moving behind him. Without her heat next to Him, Voldemort began to look around for her and spied the portkey, He had a wolfish grin on His face as He tugged it from the cushion and sniffed. He was gone in an instant.

Bella was set to call the alarm, when Ginny came out from behind a curtain and hit her with a freezing spell from the wand Snape had given her. She had even practiced on Hermione. Bella stood there unable to move as Ginny came up behind her. Ginny would have liked to make her suffer longer, but knew time was running out. She took a long sharp dagger from her cloak. "THIS IS FOR MY FAMILY, YOU MURDERING BITCH!" Stabbing Bella soundlessly through her back and into her heart. She crumpled to the floor, dead. Ginny looked down and smiled at her lifeless body on the floor and the pool of blood beneath her. "Hermione is right, the muggle way is better."

A few of the Death Eaters noticed something peculiar was happening at the dais. Snape acted quickly and ended the spell, freezing everyone in the room who hadn't taken the antidote. They began to drop like flies to the ground. Lucius and three others the only ones left standing.

Just then Kingsley and several aurors appeared in the room. The portkey Snape had provided took them right to the throne. Hermione came out of her hiding place to hear their report. "Well? Did it work?"