This is it, Voldemort told himself. This is the big one and nobody was going to mess it up. Not Lucius Malfoy; not Bellatrix Black; not even Peter Pettigrew, the king of messing everything up. However, Wormtail was the one who gave him the Potters on a silver platter in the first place. Voldemort had to kill the Potters' son according to the prophesy, but killing Lily and James would just be an added bonus.
"My Lord, I am back." Voldemort could sense Bellatrix Black walking toward him slowly.
"Bella, you're lucky I'm in a good mood. I should just kill you right now for abandoning me."
"My Lord, if you killed me then all the time you spent training me would go to waste."
"I said seven months. You were gone for nine. What happened?"
"My Lord, I am so sorry about that. I got…sidetracked."
Voldemort turned to face Bellatrix. "Sidetracked? From your master?"
"I'm sorry, My Lord," Bellatrix pleaded. "I would've been no use to you coming back two months ago."
"Leave that for me to decide," Voldemort growled. "I should make you die a horrible and painful death right now."
"No, please, My Lord." Bellatrix's voice held so much pleading. "I'll do anything!"
"Anything?"
"Anything. My Lord, I live to serve you."
"Give me good news."
"Your daughter is in the woods."
Voldemort took a step toward Bellatrix. "Why isn't she with you?"
"I—she's asleep."
Voldemort realized that no matter what he tried to convince himself, Bellatrix was right. She needed that extra two months. She almost looked back to normal. Of course, with Bellatrix you could never tell if she was raring to go or deathly ill; she was always ready for action on the outside.
Nine months ago, however, Voldemort had insisted that she take a break from being a Death Eater. At the time she had been two months pregnant with his child so he send her off, kicking and screaming, to go find someplace less physically demanding to get ready to have the baby and actually have it. The plan had been for her to come back right afterward, though.
Bellatrix led Voldemort into the woods where their daughter was asleep. She led him to a clearing where there was a blanket bundle perched on top of a tree stump. She ran over to the bundle and scooped it up in her arms.
"This is our daughter, Voldemort," she told him with a smile. "And she is definitely worth killing Rodolphus for."
Later that night Voldemort Apparated to Godric's Hollow and he couldn't get Bellatrix off his mind. She had actually had the audacity to kill her husband as soon as she found out she was pregnant. Voldemort had nearly killed her for it but decided not to once he found out why she had done it. However, Rodolphus had still been one of his most loyal death eaters.
Voldemort unlocked the door with a wave of his wand and stepped into the Potter residence without a sound. Hopefully they would all be asleep; it would make this so much easier. He shouldn't have gotten his hopes up, though. As soon as he walked in he was immediately confronted by James Potter and Sirius Black.
"Voldemort, leave right now," Sirius said, holding up his wand.
"No, I don't think I will," Voldemort shrugged. He killed Sirius and James with a wave of his wand. "Stupid Gryffindors," he muttered. "Sirius didn't have to die."
Voldemort continued toward Harry's room. When he entered he saw Lily standing over her son protectively.
"Are you going to kill me?" Lily asked Voldemort calmly as soon as he walked in.
"Yes. I came for your son but you and James are just icing on the cake. Sirius was an added bonus."
Lily suddenly spun around. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. Death would be good for her. "You killed Sirius!" she exclaimed.
"Go see for yourself."
"You wouldn't even let me get to the door," Lily scoffed. "I'm not stupid."
"You could've fooled me. If you're so smart then why are you still standing there?"
"Because my son's life is more important than my own." Lily caught and held Voldemort's gaze.
"If you say so. Avada Kedavra!"
Lily screamed but she was dead before she even hit the floor. Voldemort then turned to Harry.
"It's a good thing I'm getting this over with now," Voldemort told himself. He aimed his wand and a brilliant idea hit him like a ton of bricks. The whole reason he was even here was because of a prophesy that said that Harry was more powerful than him, so what if Voldemort could use that to his advantage? He could take Harry alive and train him to be his apprentice. He would have to hinder the boy's ability obviously, but if the prophesy was true then Harry could still be powerful even with a slight hindrance.
Voldemort pocketed his wand and picked up Harry. "I have to think of some way to keep your identity a secret, especially to yourself. I'm going to change your name. As of this moment you are no longer Harry Potter, but Mason. Just Mason."
Voldemort Apparated back to where Bellatrix was waiting for him. "Bella," he said, "you still owe me a lot."
Bellatrix looked at him curiously. "What's that you're holding?" she asked him.
"Harry Potter."
Voldemort heard Bellatrix's sharp intake of breath. "After all that work Harry Potter's still alive?" she asked in surprise.
"Yes. He could be of great use to me as my apprentice. After all, I'm not going to be around forever."
"Don't flatter yourself," Bellatrix advised. "You're trying so hard to become immortal and you're so close. You're at your prime; the last thing you need is a successor, but if that's what you want, just tell me what I can do to help."
"Take him to your sister's house. Let her and Lucius raise him along with their own son."
"I—My Lord, I would be more than happy to take care of the child myself," Bellatrix offered.
"Bella, do yourself a favor and don't question my authority. I was robbed of a horcrux tonight and believe me when I say that I'm more than willing to make up for right here."
Bellatrix dropped her gaze in shame. "I'm sorry, My Lord. Forgive me."
"I'm still in need of your services, Bellatrix. You owe me for the two months you shouldn't have still been gone for. You're going to be caring for our daughter and still working for me. In time you'll thank me for not making you care for both children."
"I trust you, My Lord," Bellatrix said. She knelt before her master and he placed baby Harry in her arms. She Apparated to Narcissa's mansion.
"Narcissa, meet an alive Harry Potter," Bellatrix smirked when she arrived.
Narcissa was stunned. "After all that work and planning?"
"Yes. Also, the thing is is that you're to raise him."
"Raise him?"
"Yes, as if he were your own son."
"But I already have a son. Draco's enough."
Bellatrix shrugged. "I'm just telling you what the Dark Lord told me. If you don't like it then go discuss it with him."
"You know I can't do that," Narcissa sneered. "You know, I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm longing for the old and protective Bella. She wouldn't make me do this. Believe me, just watching two kids for one night has me exhausted."
"I'm sorry, but I didn't know where else to take her," Bellatrix said.
"It's okay," Narcissa assured her sister. "That's what sister's are for. Maybe you should return the favor, though."
Bellatrix scoffed. "I've got to stop indebting myself to people."
Narcissa grabbed Bellatrix's arm and shoved up the sleeve of her robe and pointed to the Dark Mark. "It's too late," she said. "Bella, you forever indebted yourself when you swore allegiance to Voldemort."
Bellatrix shrugged. "What can I say?"
"Hey, how about if you come and live with Lucius and me for awhile? Living on that tiny flat must not be very comfortable."
"I don't need any more space than I have," Bellatrix said stubbornly.
"Come on, Bella, please? For me? As thanks for saving your butt tonight while you had to wait for Voldemort?"
"Please, Cissa, say the Dark Lord."
"Okay, fine. While you had to wait for the Dark Lord. So will you? Please?"
"I guess it won't hurt to stay for awhile," Bellatrix reluctantly agreed.
"Great!" Narcissa said enthusiastically. "I had our house elves set you up a bedroom. It's on the second floor, first room on the left."
"Some things never change," Bellatrix muttered as she trudged up the stairs.