Her first full day at the Malfoy's went smoothly, almost too smoothly. Bellatrix had spent the majority of the day with her sister, attempting to feel normal. What was normal after 13 years in a cage? Although most believed she was mad long before she was locked away, her many years in Azkaban had only driven her deeper into her own bloodthirsty insanity. Her sweet sister was so kind to her, catching her up on everything that she missed over the years, trying to create a sense of normalcy. Then there was a quiet knock on the door, Bella spun around in her seat, her eyes wide while her sister greeted whoever it was at the entrance. A tall man, with long wavy brown hair entered. He seemed so familiar but not as he looked now. Just then her sister spoke.
"Ah, Rodolphus! I wondered how long it would be before you popped in." Her words were a little cooler than they were with Bellatrix, but that was to be expected.
His name, she knew his name, but it had been so long since she had heard it.
"Hello," he said softly to the two of them as they wandered over nearer to Bella.
As he got closer she could see his face and his dark eyes. He was her husband! How could she forget something like that! Although it was really nothing more than an agreement made a long time ago, he was still her husband. Her duty to her family and his blind obedience to her master and herself was the only reason she had allowed him to take her as his wife. She remembered him so clearly now, her head was finally beginning to wake.
"Rodolphus, my dearest husband!" her words, slightly harsh and twisted.
She had never been very kind to him, which seem to suit him just fine. He had and would always love her more than she ever could, for they were both aware that her heart would always belong to their master – even if it was never reciprocated.
Rodolphus reached for Bellatrix's hand, she shuddered slightly at his touch but allowed him to gently grasp it in his own and raise it to his lips kissing it ever so gently. He was ever so loyal she thought as she smiled wickedly up at him. They had both been in Azkaban, sentenced for the same crimes, but were kept nowhere near each other. Maybe if they had been their relationship would have changed, but it had not so there was no use thinking about it. \
"My most loyal husband," she began, a cackle in her voice, "Why have you interrupted us?" Her words were almost harsh, but that was the only way she knew how to be with him.
Her sister shot her a disapproving look, she never cared for how she treated her husband. Unlike Bella, Narcissa loved her husband and married him for that reason, she would never understand the relationship between Bellatrix and Rodolphus. She never had, and she clearly never would. It was okay, though, Rodolphus knew his placed, and he was happy enough the way things were.
"Lucius sent me, dinner is almost ready," his words were soft, unhurt by anything Bella had said. She knew he had not forgotten their arrangement.
"Very well," Bellatrix began sharply, "Cissy shall we go?" her eyes now on her sister who simply nodded before standing to her feet.
She left the room, walking next to her sister as Rodolphus followed behind. It was almost like things were exactly as they had left them.
Dinner went smoothly enough, she was once again too hungry to stop and chat amongst the rest of their company. She kept to herself, which was rather unusual, but she listened to everything. Not much was said but she knew that she was not yet in a position to be herself. She was still unsure of what was going on, she needed to bide her time and absorb as much as she could so she could be her most valuable to her master. As everyone began to finish their dinners she stood from the table.
"I'll see you later," she said to the table, her hand giving her sister's a slight squeeze.
Her sister's eyes looked up, still worried about her, but Bella needed time to herself. She strode away from the table and out to the rest of the house. She knew the library was around here somewhere and that seemed as good a place as any to try and get a grip on her new life.
The longer she wondered around the more familiar her soundings became. It was not long before she found the large double doors that lead to the Malfoy's extensive library. She pushed open the doors and quickly found a large green high-backed chair to plop herself down in. She curled her legs up to her chest, her eyes wide as she tried to process the last 24 hours. She had sat like this almost constantly while in her cell, but never so comfortably. She was quickly lost in her thoughts, growing more unaware of her surroundings. She felt safe alone for the first in so long, no one would dare disturb her. Her mind was racing and she quickly lost all notion of what was around her. Then her train of thought was quickly broken by cold icy words.
"My most faithful Bellatrix," her master hissed. Bellatrix jumped, her eyes wildly darting around until they settled on the form of her Lord.
"My Lord," she said bowing her head. She was shocked that he would be the one to find her hiding place. "How can I be of service my Lord," she added humbly, for there was nothing she would not gladly do for her Lord.
He smiled down at her, his sick, beautiful smile.
"My dear you have already done so much for me," he hissed. Bella's face blushed quickly, complimented by her wonderful master.
"Anything for you, my Lord," she replied trying not to sound too thrilled with herself.
"You will begin training again in the morning though I doubt it will take you long to be back to your old self," he hissed, sounding ever so pleased with her. "You, after all, are my most talented death eater."
She had always known that she was a very capable witch, but to hear such praise from her master was almost too much. She leaned closer to him, always longing for the closeness she knew that she would never be granted.
"You flatter me, my Lord," she began as humbly as she could muster through her joy. "I cannot wait to be doing as you please, master." Her words honest as always, a smile resting on her full red lips.
"Always so willing, Bella. I am lucky to have such a loyal lieutenant."
She blushed once again as he spoke. Had he changed or had he always been so flattering to her? She could not remember, nor did she have time to think more into the matter before he continued.
"I told you long ago that your loyalty would not go unrewarded. Though thinking of a reward worthy enough for your loyalty is proving to more difficult than I care to admit."
The Dark Lord's smooth words came as a shock to Bellatrix, she knew that she would be rewarded, but she had always assumed that her reward would be her life and continued service to her master. He drew closer to her, watching how much she loved it. She knew that he could see her every emotion, especially now that her mind had been so badly abused. She was talented at Occlumency but it had been many years since she was strong enough to block her mind, especially from her master. He smiled wickedly down at her, so close they were almost touching. Bellatrix longed to touch her master but knew better than dare to try such an act. Especially while he was so pleased with her. Her body shivered slightly, the anticipation for what he would say next nearly unbearable. Her eyes stayed locked on his, her smile unwavering from her lips.
She took a slight breath, "My Lord, no reward is necessary. Service to you has always been reward enough," her voice was steadily growing stronger the more she was using it to actually speak, her words coming more and more easily.
"This is true, but I feel as though you deserve something. You are my most loyal, and that shall not go unrewarded." The Dark Lords pale hand met Bella's face, only for a moment, "I will think of something Bellatrix. Until then, I will see you in the morning," he hissed before disapparating leaving Bellatrix frozen in her spot absolutely speechless.
Her master was too good to her and with that she leaped from her chair and flew up to her room. She would need to sleep so she would be ready for whatever he threw at her tomorrow. Now was not the time to displease her Lord.