"Lucius is throwing a party tonight," said Rodolphus. "He says it's in our honor."

Two days had passed since the wedding. Bellatrix had strangely spent most of that time asleep. Her excuse was that she had started her period. Rodolphus of course couldn't argue with that.

"A party sounds nice," said Bellatrix, rubbing her tired eyes. "I'll do a spell to stop the bleeding."

After an hour, Bellatrix stepped out wearing black robes that had a slit up to her thigh and were rather short in the front. Her breasts were only barely obscured by gold and green lace.

"You look lovely, but don't you think that's a bit much to see men who aren't...me?" said Rodolphus, cringing. "I mean, we're married now, Bella. We should appear...respectable."

"People can whisper if they want," snapped Bellatrix. "They'll know in their hearts that I'm worthy of respect."

"Alright, I don't feel like arguing. Would you come fasten my tie?"

Bellatrix obeyed.

Two hours later, they arrived at the party. Bellatrix sauntered in, Rodolphus a few steps behind like her little puppy dog. This isn't how it's supposed to be, he thought bitterly.

Rodolphus's heart stopped when he saw Tom Gaunt chatting up Lucius and his best friend Corban Yaxley. Rodolphus glanced over at his wife. Her eyes were shining. She saw him, too.

Bellatrix ran over to Tom. "My Lord! My Lord!"

Tom glared at her harshly, though there was a slight glint of amusement in his eye. "How dare you, Bella? You are a married woman now. Have some decorum. And think of your poor husband... How must he feel about the intensity of your admiration for me...?"

Tom gave Rodolphus a thin smile, sending cold shivers down Rodolphus's spine. Even if he had known Tom his entire life, something suddenly didn't seem quite right about him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be at the wedding, Rodolphus; I was touring Albania," said Tom. "A beautiful country. But not nearly as beautiful as your France."

Rodolphus nodded and smiled, but his mind was elsewhere. He glanced at Bella. She looked so defeated, like a child denied treats. Rodolphus thought back to his wedding day and the prophecy that has appeared in his tea. A snake and a heart. Could that mean...Bella loved the heir of Slytherin?

As the night dragged on, Bellatrix stayed strangely close to Rodolphus. For the first time ever, she touched him. She wove her fingers into his. She gave him decorous but loving kisses. Are you trying to make me jealous?

Even so, he loved this intimacy.

And it did seem startlingly real.

"Do you love me, Bella?" Rodolphus whispered in her ear as they sat eating a dinner of goose and mince pie.

She looked up at him with those big chocolate doe eyes.

"More than anything, my dear."

That was how he found himself writhing on top of her in the Malfoys' spare room a few minutes later. The way Bellatrix moaned so passionately yet with refinement convinced Rodolphus further that she loved him. She probably viewed Tom Gaunt as a mentor, nothing more. It was all in his mind. It had to be.

"I'm coming," Bellatrix moaned.

"Good," said Rodolphus, smiling radiantly. He moaned. He was almost there, too.

Bellatrix screamed and writhed in ecstasy. Rodolphus smiled again and withdrew his member from inside his wife, having reached his goal.

He looked down at the sheets. Since he'd never had sex with his Bella, he would assume she was a virgin, but there was no blood. Weren't women supposed to bleed the first time? And she hadn't even shown any sign of pain when he entered her...

"Bellatrix," said Rodolphus slowly, "are you a virgin?"

The so-called most virtuous girl in pureblood high society looked up at him with eyes filled with terror.