A/N: Wow. First let me say that I'm sorry it took me so long to get this next chapter out! I've been busy with lots of distractions. I actually had a part of this done about a week ago, but had to really mull over what else I wanted to do with it. This chapter was originally going to be MUCH longer, but I really wanted to update and give you something to read. Second: I had upped the rating for this story a couple chapters ago, and I think this chapter definitely justifies it. If you think I need to up the rating again after reading this chapter, please tell me. You'll see what I mean when you read it! And Lastly, enjoy the chapter! It was frustrating but fun to write, and I hope I balanced it all out pretty well.

Chapter 11: Weddings and Whirlings!

It's my wedding. I can't be annoyed Bellatrix tried to convince herself. But the strand of hair that was escaping from her head piece was bloody annoying! And it's not as if she could move it- her hands were linked with Rodolphus' as the Lestrange family motto was being read off. She had been required to memorise it, so paying far too much attention to her hair didn't seem all too bad. The Head of the Ministry Marriage Office directed his next few words to Bella directly.

"Do you, Miss Bellatrix Black, agree to uphold the honour of the Lestrange Estate and acquiesce to marrying Rodolphus in order to extend the magical abilities of the family as a whole and remain devoted to him until your moment of death?" inquired the man. He was wearing black robes and held the rule book loosely in his gnarled hands. Few weddings were graced with his presence, but the Lestrange family, being extremely wealthy and foreign, were extended every luxury for the wedding to ensure monetary commitment to the Ministry of Magic in the future.

Bellatrix glanced at the man standing across from her. He gave her hands a short and reassuring squeeze. Pureblood marriages were always made to sound so impersonal, since they were usually arranged and few brides and grooms ever had the luxury of knowing each other beforehand. Although Bellatrix had complaints about recent events, she wasn't so daft as to not realize the luck she had been given. Before her stood a very healthy, rich and handsome man who would care for her. He shared her beliefs about the world and had actively sought out her hand. Looking into the depths of his blue eyes, she knew there had only ever been one answer she could give to this man.

"I do so declare," she said in a firm voice that came from so many years of Pureblood upbringing that was in complete contrast to the swimming feeling coursing through her entire body.

"Do you, Rodolphus Lestrange, accept Bellatrix Black as your wife to bestow your family wealth upon and to provide for and protect until your moment of death?" continued the waning Minister.

"I do so declare," he provided, looking at her as Bellatrix Black for the last time.

The Minister withdrew his wand from the velvet encasing on top of his book and pointed it at the couple's conjoined hands. He muttered the incantation and a soft black and gold light emitted from his wand. It swirled around their hands and then scattered in a burst of gold, showering them with light for what seemed like ages as she was momentarily lost in his eyes.

"I, as Head of the Ministry Marriage Office, declare you Wizard and Wife of the Lestrange family," he rasped, with a small nod towards Rodolphus.

With that, Rodolphus completed the ceremony by leaning forward and gracing her lips with a kiss. As he drew back, their hands were separated. Before turning around, he lifted up his hand and pulled Bella's stray lock of hair behind her ear. With a grateful smile, her hand found his again as she was led back down the aisle. Her ivory wedding robes dragged behind her on the marble floor of the wedding hall as she walked with her husband for the first time. The green and black trim around the bells of her sleeves complemented the dark fabric of Rodolphus' robes as their arms remained entwined.

The audience had risen in acknowledgement, readied with small boxes of fluxweed and floo powder to represent the travels and changes they would see together as a couple throughout the rest of their lives. Bellatrix was grateful for the imperturbable charm she had put on the hem of her robes as she walked forward on a floor that was becoming increasingly covered in powder which would be difficult to remove. It was tradition that she wear these robes for the feast as well as the ball they would hold in honour of their first year anniversary. She let out a long breath to calm herself as they approached the carriage.

"Do you feel like a Lestrange now?"

"I might feel a bit strange sleeping in a French estate tonight," she replied with the pun that she had been attacking him with ever since she had accepted his proposal.

"That is you name now, Miss Stranger, so you'd do well not to insult it too much. Besides, I don't think we'll be doing much sleeping tonight anyways."

"Because we'll be spending too much time arguing over what insults I can save especially for you?" came her witty reply as she glanced over at him, a smirk playing at her lips.

"Oh my. What have I gotten myself into? I thought I was marrying an intelligent, Pureblood, beautiful and talented witch. Clearly, I've been misinformed," he responded haughtily as he waited to enter the carriage after his wife.

"And which part of that do you not see before you? Don't think complaining about your wife on your wedding day will help you at all, Lestrange."

"I was merely showing you what it's like to be directly insulted. Apparently, it's something you haven't seen enough of in your life," he said, placing a firm hand on hers and pulling it towards him so that their hands lay upon his thigh. He then gave a glance towards the ring on her finger. Bellatrix glanced down at it as well. Although the spell had been activated months before, the wedding had made it more official. She could no longer deny that she was sitting next to the only man she was allowed to be intimate with for the rest of her life. As a young girl she hadn't ever been terribly promiscuous, but she did feel as if some of her independence had been lost simply because the decision was no longer hers to make.

"Well, between you and what I receive at training camp, I'll be well-equipped for an arsenal of insults then," came her too sweet reply as she placed her other hand on top of his, rubbing her finger tip along the band encircling his finger. Although Rodolphus was certainly attractive enough, Bellatrix was still struggling because of the recent emotional wounds imparted by the Dark Lord. If this marriage was to work, and for Bellatrix to keep her husband in her bed and not one of some low and slovenly witch, she would have to get used to him. She had to figure out how to get him right where she wanted him to be. She scooted to her right a bit more so that her left hand wasn't so outstretched. She then slid her right hand off of his to make its way down his inner thigh. Although the expression on his face didn't change as she glanced up at him through her eyelashes, she could feel his grip on her left hand grow just slightly tighter.

"May I assume you're prepared for other types of arsenals as well then, Mrs. Lestrange?" came his reply as his hand let go of hers to snake around her midriff and rest upon her hip as his other hand came to pull her chin up towards his face.

Her hand began making tiny circles on his thigh, slowly creeping upwards as she continued the verbal exchange as well.

"Quite. I also think you'll be finding out how capable I am with said arsenals very soon."

"Mmm," was his response and cue that the verbal part of the conversation was over. He lowered his head and his lips became otherwise occupied as they met Bellatrix's.

It wasn't the same as when she had first kissed him, back when she had finally accepted her proposal. She had held back then, simply trying to convey the commitment she had for him. With their marriage, that need had already been met. With this kiss, Bellatrix could feel different elements awakening inside her. It was as if a completely new sense was guiding the young woman. She slowly twisted so that she was directly facing him, and she moved onto his lap, one knee on either side of his legs. Rodolphus' hand somehow found a way beneath the ivory, black and green layers of her dress and his fingers wrapped around the garter on her upper left thigh. Their tongues were entangled in a fiery dance and her hands ran through his dark hair.

There was a slight jolt from the carriage, but neither person seemed to really notice. Bellatrix was too distracted by the feel of his hands grasping her leg and back, and Rodolphus was too busy exploring what was now entirely his. A loud noise brought them back up as they opened their eyes, separated and looked to the carriage door. The carriage had come to a halt in front of the Black Mansion. The house elf must have either had the sense to knock first, or had opened the door and quickly shut it without them noticing. It didn't really matter. Bellatrix had acquired the uncanny ability to change moods quickly and hide emotion over the last few months. She slid back onto the seat and began straightening her dress. Rodolphus buttoned his collar that he couldn't recall being unbuttoned in the first place and smoothed out his hair. With a small cough, Bellatrix rid the blush from her cheeks and Rodolphus stepped out of the carriage. She placed her hand in his and stepped down as well. Although the newlyweds were usually directed to the house they'd be staying in, it was far too long of a carriage ride to France, so they would be flooing from London instead.

As Rodolphus led her up the path to what used to be her house, she saw her family waiting on the steps for them. Most of them had adopted superficial and somewhat selfish smiles. Yes, they were happy for her, but mostly because of who she chose rather than the fact that she was married. Andromeda's marriage to a muggle was a serious blow to the family's pride, and was an event rarely spoken of. Her mother had been ecstatic when Bellatrix had delivered the news that she was engaged to an exceedingly wealthy Pureblood wizard of good standing. Bellatrix was truly glad to see Narcissa's welcoming face. The two sisters had grown closer in light of the impending war, both being personally involved with the war and almost constantly surrounded by danger. Bellatrix found it hard to believe that she would no longer be able to watch over Cissy now that she'd be living in France as a married woman. She knew they wouldn't abandon each other though. It was very easy to keep in touch and travel, and Bella knew her sister would need lots of support if she were to marry Lucius, especially considering all the emotional implications of it.

The two sisters had already said their goodbyes, knowing that this final parting would be quick, as it always was since Purebloods weren't accustomed to showing large amounts of emotion in public. Bellatrix swiftly parted from the house of her childhood to step into the fireplace. In a burst of green flame, Bellatrix was sent spiraling and spinning into the next stage of her life.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! Please review, I would appreciate the feedback. The next chapter is really just a continuation of this one, picking up where this left off. I already have part of it written because I was going to include it here, but I hadn't written the part that goes in between yet, so I thought I'd just post this. Most of this chapter was also in an update I sent out, so if you want to get special privileges beforehand, you can subscribe to the bellaslytherin Yahoo group. Until next time, which should be a shorter wait than this one! Also, see my comment about ratings above.