The next morning went as mornings were supposed to go, at least, it felt like this is how normal witches went about their mornings. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew that this was how her life used to be. As she was quietly eating breakfast with her family she had a sudden thought that this was not how she wanted her life to be. After 13 years locked away, while yes it was a nice change, it was all too normal for her tastes. She was terribly bored, longing for excitement and the company of the only person she was longing to spend time with. As she began to get full, her mind far away from what she was doing, she started playing with the food on her plate. Her fork pushed various scraps around the large plate as her mind wandered aimlessly, far away from the mundane breakfast chatter. By the time Bella was aware of what was going on the Malfoys were all staring at her. Clearly someone must have said something to her that she completely ignored.
"What?!" She shouted sharply, slightly irritated by the looks her family were giving her.
"Draco said that you would be training him for the task the Dark Lord has given him?" Narcissa said softly. Bellatrix nodded.
"Whenever he is ready," she said sarcastically in a childish voice, her eyes moving to Draco.
He still looked slightly petrified and she was not sure if it was because of whatever he was going to have to do, or if it had something to do with her. After all, she had not seen her nephew since he was a baby and he could not possibly remember her. She must have one hell of a reputation to freak him out so badly. The thought made her smile, a wicked smile that usually meant she was up to no good. He would soon find out why she was the Dark Lord's right hand.
Narcissa sat up a little straighter, "He is ready sister."
Bella's smiled widened, "Very good. When shall we begin?"
Lucius finally piped up at this point, "Immediately," he said rising from his seat and gesturing for his wife to come with him.
That was all Bellatrix needed to hear. She rose with a sick smile, striding over to Draco and wrapping her hand over his arm. In a blink, they were gone.
Bellatrix apparated herself and Draco into the library. The moment her feet touched the floor she unwrapped her hand from her nephew's arm and turned quickly facing him her wand pointed at his chest. His eyes were wide and he was even paler than he normally was completely frozen to the spot.
Bellatrix sighed loudly, flopping her arms down by her side and shouted, "And now you are dead!"
It took every ounce of will she had to not curse him for being such a coward. She had to remind herself that he was only just a boy and a sheltered one at that. Bella placed her wand back into her robes and approached Draco, placing her arms around him.
"Now my dear, darling nephew, you are a death eater now. The Dark Lord has given you your first task and I know your mum would like you to live through it." She sighed taking a breath before continuing, "Now, your first lesson is to always be prepared!"
Starting from square one, that was a new one for her. Normally she was at least around people who were not afraid to use their wands. It was going to be a long day and an even longer break until Draco returned to Hogwarts. If the Dark Lord had not asked her to take him under her wing she would not be putting herself through this.
"So it looks like we need to start with some defense if you are to stay alive," she said stepping away her wand back out and pointed at him as she turned around. "Now, the shield charm is not easy and you will need to practice as much as you can if you want to stand a fighting chance." She demonstrated this charm once for him, "Now let's see it!" As she finished her sentence she cast a jinx at her nephew.
She loved that she did not need to speak when she was casting such simple spells. As she thought Oppugno and the books started flying off the shelves at Draco. The first one hit him square in the face as he tried to cast a shield. He was pelted by several more books before he managed a weak shield that stopped the next book from pelting into him. They continued like that for a while, Draco was able to stop a few books but just barely. Certainly none of them came flying back at her. Finally, she grew bored of watching her nephew being pelted by old books and after he managed to stop the latest book, a particularly thick one at that, she stopped the onslaught of books. Waving her wand once more, she returned the books littering the floor back to their shelves.
"Not bad," she said glad that he was not completely useless. She did not want to beat him up too bad and did not need a lecture from her sister on being too hard on him. "Well, that's it for right now. Be prepared for your next lesson," she said before disapparating, leaving Draco alone.
She popped into the kitchen, grabbing a handful of Strawberries, before apparating back to her room.
Her feet hit the floor as she took a bite out of one of the berries. As her room came into view she suddenly stopped; Voldemort was standing in her room. She stood there for a moment, absolutely speechless before he spoke.
"Ah, I wondered when you would be back," he said calmly.
How long had he been waiting in here for her? Why was he looking for her in her bedroom? She finally closed her gaping mouth swallowing the strawberry that was left sitting on her tongue.
"My Lord," she finally managed, bowing her head to her master.
"I just came to see how you were adjusting, you seem to be acting more like yourself." His words completely baffled her. In all the years she had been a death eater, even as close as she was to her master, she could not wrap her head around such a mundane conversation. Before she had a chance to speak Voldemort approached, standing just inches from her.
She nodded quickly, "Very well, my Lord," she spoke quickly before looking up into his cold blue eyes.
A wicked smile played on his lips, "That's good. I still owe you a reward, my most loyal Bella."
She had completely forgotten about it, to be perfectly honest.
"Being back here with you is reward enough, my Lord," she spoke honestly.
Being back by her master's side was all that kept her from completely losing it while in Azkaban.
"I knew you would say that," he said with a smile, "Like I've already told you, you deserve a reward. I could not ask for a better Lieutenant; your loyalty is inspiring but I'm not sure what more I could give you." His words hung in the air.
It was true that he had already given her so much. He had taken her under his wing from the start and trained her. She only had one secret desire, but she knew that it could never happen. Her master did not suffer such mortal afflictions. Not that it would ever change how she felt, even for a moment. If anything, it just made her appreciate what little indulgences she was given, like this.
He leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, I will think of something for you." He pulled away, pausing momentarily centimeters away from her face before stepping back.
She breathed out as he moved back, a tiny shutter moving through her. Her eyes were wide, excited, as she searched his face trying to figure him out. She knew she never would but it would never stop her from searching. Always wanting things she could not have.
"Well I will leave you with your snack and I will see you later," he said playfully before disapparating.
She was so shocked by everything that had happened she had completely forgotten that she was holding a handful of strawberries. She was not one to question her master but what on Earth was that all about. Was he trying to tease her? Because he certainly had. She took a moment to try and process everything before flopping down on her bed, tossing a strawberry into her mouth. She certainly was not as hungry as she was before she got up here.