p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Winter quickly began to melt into spring and time was flying as the dark lord's grasp on wizarding Britain began to tighten. It had been ten months since her escape and her dark lords return. They had accomplished so much in such little time. They were stronger now than they had ever been, and their adversaries fell swiftly at their hand. Even more exciting was their slow expansion into the rest of wizarding Europe. They had followers everywhere now, and it was only a matter of time before the dark lord himself was pulling the strings for the entire continent. To say these were exciting times was an understatement, to say the least. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement was now run entirely by death eaters, at its head was Dolohov. He was a skilled death eater and more than deserving of the title though Bellatrix did miss having him to run missions with. Not that there was a need for too many missions these days. With Dolohov's team, they were successfully rounding up the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix and sentencing them to life in Azkaban. Heading up the trials and sentencing was none other than her old friend Crouch Jr. who she had taken under her wing when he was fresh out of Hogwarts. Their death eaters were everywhere and she had trained them all. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bellatrix was still regularly training death eaters throughout the week but she was also making regular trips to the ministry to torture and kill the sentenced mudbloods. It was not as fun as hunting them down herself but it was safe and satisfied her bloodlust, even if only momentarily. She was the dark lord's right hand, his best and most loyal lieutenant, and second in command. Her name was feared among the wizarding world almost as much as her master's. The power was intoxicating and it only fed her madness. It was true she was unhinged, that's what made her so dangerous./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"For the most part, things were quiet right now, everything was moving smoothly which made her feel uneasy. It was always nerve racking when things continued to go off without a hitch. There was very little standing in there way now and she supposed she needed to stop being so paranoid, but it was just her nature. She had spent almost her entire adult life in servitude to the dark lord, how could she not worry when everything seemed to be going so well. One thing her master had taught her was to never let her guard down, and no matter how safe the world seemed to them she would never let her guard down. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"It was that very notion that had her reading over the worn pages of dark magic texts in the Malfoy's library, her favorite hiding spot. She spent so much time locked away down here that it could barely be called a hiding spot anymore, but it was still her favorite. Whenever she was not wrapped up in her other obligations she was usually somewhere with her nose in a book learning as much as she could about rare magic. Her book collection had grown steadily over the months, the dark lord bringing her new books when he saw fit. She could not be more grateful for how her master treated her. Her decades of faithful devotion and skill had been recognized and now she enjoyed the spoils of her hard work and devotion to her lord. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She had no idea how long she had been hidden away in the library that evening when a sudden change in the air brought her back to reality. A wicked smile crossed her lips her dark brown eyes looking up from the worn pages of her book./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""My Lord," she said as her master's icy touch swept across her shoulders./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""My dearest Bella," the dark lord hissed darkly. His cloaked figure swept around the chair Bellatrix perched in as he came to stand in front of her, his hand outstretched waiting for her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bella's smile grew at the dark lord's gesture. She quickly marked her spot in her book, placing it on the table beside the high-backed emerald chair she sat in. Her heart raced slightly as she moved her hand up to rest in his before finally getting to her feet. Her eyes met his as her master brought her hand to his lips, kissing it ever so softly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Thank you for the newest book, my Lord," Bella cooed to her master./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I am pleased that you have been enjoying it so thoroughly." He hissed back to her. "Soon it will be time to put your vast collection of curses to use, my most loyal lieutenant."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bella's eyes widened as her master spoke, her heart racing with the anticipation of what her master had in store for her. The Dark Lord pulled her up gently by her outstretched arm, their bodies so close yet so far from one another. Her heart raced faster, it always did when she was so close to her master. His cold eyes looked right through her as his icy hand brushed her gaunt cheek./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Even after ten months, her body had not fully recovered from the years she spent locked away in Azkaban. In fact, she was becoming more and more sure that her time locked away waiting for her master's return did not only forever change her mind but her appearance as well. Her outward appearance now mirrored her inward appearance. The madness she hid so many years ago was now so clearly visible on the surface. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""But tonight, I have something special for you," his cold words rolled off his lips and into the air as he took Bella's hand and disapparated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The next moment they were outside, under the stars on this cool spring night. Bella's eyes quickly darted around to try and figure out where her master had taken them, but the scenery was not familiar. They were standing at the top of an old abandoned lighthouse on an empty beach. The salty air sending a shiver down her spine and causing her to tense up. Her hand, still being held in her master's tensed around his unintentionally as her other grasped her wand tightly. The smell of the sea flooded her with memories of Azkaban, for 13 years all she smelt was the sea and filth of the prison. She took a deep breath before finally looking up at her master, waiting to see what he could possibly have in store for her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Without saying a word, he let go of her hand and headed into the small, rickety lighthouse. She trailed behind his ominous figure obediently, ready for anything her master could have in store. The rusted metal door creaked as he flung it open with his wand, leading them inside on a rusted metal platform. The stability of the lighthouse was in serious question, it was clear that it had been left unmaintained for at least a century. They carefully made their way down a flight of winding metal stairs to another landing where the Carrow twins waited. A man sat slumped over on the floor between the twins, bound by chains. His hair was matted and long, his head never lifted, obscuring any quick identification./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Bella, I present to you Igor Karkaroff, who when captured by the ministry betrayed us. Maybe, more importantly, he betrayed you along with Rodolphus, Rabastian, and Junior for the torcher of the Longbottoms." Her master hissed, his voice cold and as ever emotionless. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bella's hand clenched tighter around her wand, her face flushed with anger. This sad excuse for a death eater betrayed her master to get out of serving time in Azkaban. He should have been proud to wait in Azkaban for the Dark Lord's return. How dare he! How dare he turn on his fellow Death Eater's, how dare he turn on her. Bellatrix's rage was barely contained beneath the surface and she knew her master could feel it welling up inside her. It took every ounce of strength she had to not scream and curse him into madness. If her master was not standing next to her she would, but until she was given permission she would wait beside him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Your bloodlust really is magnificent," he spoke as his cold gaze looked straight through her. "But Bella this is my gift to you," his words cut through the salty air like a knife as he once again turned to look at the broken man on the floor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"With one swift motion, his wand was up, and red-hot light spilled from it as he cast Bella's favorite curse. His voice was shrill and for once there was a hint of emotion behind it. Bella watched, her eyes wide with admiration and excitement as her master cursed her accuser. Igor's screams filled the dilapidated metal lighthouse, echoing through the cylindrical building. Tears poured from his eyes, as his tired bodied wreathed in his chains. Her master cursed him over and over, his rage more obvious with each curse until the screams began to subside. A sick smile was painted on Bella's lips as she watched her master avenge her, so many feelings bubbled beneath the surface that she could hardly contain herself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Avada Kedavra," he shouted as green light poured from the tip of his wand and struck the chained man square in the chest. As soon as the light hit him his lifeless body fell to the rusted metal floor with a deafening thud./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"With Karkaroff dead the Dark Lord dismissed the Carrow twins with a wave of his hand. They disapparated quickly as the obedient servants they were. Silence settled into the lighthouse, the only sound left was the ocean waves breaking outside. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The Dark Lord turned swiftly, his eyes meeting her own, a new look hiding behind them. Bella's mind raced wondering what new emotion was showing itself to her. Her master pulled a small, leather, emerald box out from his robes and handed it to her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Open it," he hissed coolly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Without hesitation, Bella opened the box to reveal a silver raven skull that was attached to a fine silver ring./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""It's beautiful my Lord," she cooed lovingly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I'm glad you think so, but my dear Bella this is so much more than just a new trinket for you to wear." He explained as his hand met her hand that was holding the open box. "You see ever since I created your Horcrux I have been planning on making myself another one. The only safe place I could think to keep my next Horcrux would be with my most faithful servant."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bella's eyes widened as he spoke, almost unable to believe the word's that came from his mouth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I know that with you no harm would ever come to this piece of me, just as you know no harm will ever come to yours as it will never leave my hand." As he spoke he lifted his wand to his chest and delicately pulled a small fragment of the remnants of his soul out and placed it carefully within the ring in Bellatrix's hands. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"When he was finally finished creating his newest Horcrux he removed the ring from the box and carefully took her right hand, sliding it on to her ring finger. It took every ounce of her will to not tear up. Nothing in her life had ever meant so much to her. She was beyond speechless, all she could do was to look at her master with loving admiration. Nothing would ever happen to her master as long as she was around./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement was now run entirely by death eaters, at its head was Dolohov. He was a skilled death eater and more than deserving of the title though Bellatrix did miss having him to run missions with. Not that there was a need for too many missions these days. With Dolohov's team, they were successfully rounding up the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix and sentencing them to life in Azkaban. Heading up the trials and sentencing was none other than her old friend Crouch Jr. who she had taken under her wing when he was fresh out of Hogwarts. Their death eaters were everywhere and she had trained them all. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bellatrix was still regularly training death eaters throughout the week but she was also making regular trips to the ministry to torture and kill the sentenced mudbloods. It was not as fun as hunting them down herself but it was safe and satisfied her bloodlust, even if only momentarily. She was the dark lord's right hand, his best and most loyal lieutenant, and second in command. Her name was feared among the wizarding world almost as much as her master's. The power was intoxicating and it only fed her madness. It was true she was unhinged, that's what made her so dangerous./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"For the most part, things were quiet right now, everything was moving smoothly which made her feel uneasy. It was always nerve racking when things continued to go off without a hitch. There was very little standing in there way now and she supposed she needed to stop being so paranoid, but it was just her nature. She had spent almost her entire adult life in servitude to the dark lord, how could she not worry when everything seemed to be going so well. One thing her master had taught her was to never let her guard down, and no matter how safe the world seemed to them she would never let her guard down. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"It was that very notion that had her reading over the worn pages of dark magic texts in the Malfoy's library, her favorite hiding spot. She spent so much time locked away down here that it could barely be called a hiding spot anymore, but it was still her favorite. Whenever she was not wrapped up in her other obligations she was usually somewhere with her nose in a book learning as much as she could about rare magic. Her book collection had grown steadily over the months, the dark lord bringing her new books when he saw fit. She could not be more grateful for how her master treated her. Her decades of faithful devotion and skill had been recognized and now she enjoyed the spoils of her hard work and devotion to her lord. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She had no idea how long she had been hidden away in the library that evening when a sudden change in the air brought her back to reality. A wicked smile crossed her lips her dark brown eyes looking up from the worn pages of her book./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""My Lord," she said as her master's icy touch swept across her shoulders./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""My dearest Bella," the dark lord hissed darkly. His cloaked figure swept around the chair Bellatrix perched in as he came to stand in front of her, his hand outstretched waiting for her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bella's smile grew at the dark lord's gesture. She quickly marked her spot in her book, placing it on the table beside the high-backed emerald chair she sat in. Her heart raced slightly as she moved her hand up to rest in his before finally getting to her feet. Her eyes met his as her master brought her hand to his lips, kissing it ever so softly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Thank you for the newest book, my Lord," Bella cooed to her master./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I am pleased that you have been enjoying it so thoroughly." He hissed back to her. "Soon it will be time to put your vast collection of curses to use, my most loyal lieutenant."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bella's eyes widened as her master spoke, her heart racing with the anticipation of what her master had in store for her. The Dark Lord pulled her up gently by her outstretched arm, their bodies so close yet so far from one another. Her heart raced faster, it always did when she was so close to her master. His cold eyes looked right through her as his icy hand brushed her gaunt cheek./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Even after ten months, her body had not fully recovered from the years she spent locked away in Azkaban. In fact, she was becoming more and more sure that her time locked away waiting for her master's return did not only forever change her mind but her appearance as well. Her outward appearance now mirrored her inward appearance. The madness she hid so many years ago was now so clearly visible on the surface. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""But tonight, I have something special for you," his cold words rolled off his lips and into the air as he took Bella's hand and disapparated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The next moment they were outside, under the stars on this cool spring night. Bella's eyes quickly darted around to try and figure out where her master had taken them, but the scenery was not familiar. They were standing at the top of an old abandoned lighthouse on an empty beach. The salty air sending a shiver down her spine and causing her to tense up. Her hand, still being held in her master's tensed around his unintentionally as her other grasped her wand tightly. The smell of the sea flooded her with memories of Azkaban, for 13 years all she smelt was the sea and filth of the prison. She took a deep breath before finally looking up at her master, waiting to see what he could possibly have in store for her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Without saying a word, he let go of her hand and headed into the small, rickety lighthouse. She trailed behind his ominous figure obediently, ready for anything her master could have in store. The rusted metal door creaked as he flung it open with his wand, leading them inside on a rusted metal platform. The stability of the lighthouse was in serious question, it was clear that it had been left unmaintained for at least a century. They carefully made their way down a flight of winding metal stairs to another landing where the Carrow twins waited. A man sat slumped over on the floor between the twins, bound by chains. His hair was matted and long, his head never lifted, obscuring any quick identification./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Bella, I present to you Igor Karkaroff, who when captured by the ministry betrayed us. Maybe, more importantly, he betrayed you along with Rodolphus, Rabastian, and Junior for the torcher of the Longbottoms." Her master hissed, his voice cold and as ever emotionless. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bella's hand clenched tighter around her wand, her face flushed with anger. This sad excuse for a death eater betrayed her master to get out of serving time in Azkaban. He should have been proud to wait in Azkaban for the Dark Lord's return. How dare he! How dare he turn on his fellow Death Eater's, how dare he turn on her. Bellatrix's rage was barely contained beneath the surface and she knew her master could feel it welling up inside her. It took every ounce of strength she had to not scream and curse him into madness. If her master was not standing next to her she would, but until she was given permission she would wait beside him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Your bloodlust really is magnificent," he spoke as his cold gaze looked straight through her. "But Bella this is my gift to you," his words cut through the salty air like a knife as he once again turned to look at the broken man on the floor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"With one swift motion, his wand was up, and red-hot light spilled from it as he cast Bella's favorite curse. His voice was shrill and for once there was a hint of emotion behind it. Bella watched, her eyes wide with admiration and excitement as her master cursed her accuser. Igor's screams filled the dilapidated metal lighthouse, echoing through the cylindrical building. Tears poured from his eyes, as his tired bodied wreathed in his chains. Her master cursed him over and over, his rage more obvious with each curse until the screams began to subside. A sick smile was painted on Bella's lips as she watched her master avenge her, so many feelings bubbled beneath the surface that she could hardly contain herself. /span/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Avada Kedavra," he shouted as green light poured from the tip of his wand and struck the chained man square in the chest. As soon as the light hit him his lifeless body fell to the rusted metal floor with a deafening thud./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"With Karkaroff dead the Dark Lord dismissed the Carrow twins with a wave of his hand. They disapparated quickly as the obedient servants they were. Silence settled into the lighthouse, the only sound left was the ocean waves breaking outside. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The Dark Lord turned swiftly, his eyes meeting her own, a new look hiding behind them. Bella's mind raced wondering what new emotion was showing itself to her. Her master pulled a small, leather, emerald box out from his robes and handed it to her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Open it," he hissed coolly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Without hesitation, Bella opened the box to reveal a silver raven skull that was attached to a fine silver ring./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""It's beautiful my Lord," she cooed lovingly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I'm glad you think so, but my dear Bella this is so much more than just a new trinket for you to wear." He explained as his hand met her hand that was holding the open box. "You see ever since I created your Horcrux I have been planning on making myself another one. The only safe place I could think to keep my next Horcrux would be with my most faithful servant."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bella's eyes widened as he spoke, almost unable to believe the word's that came from his mouth./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I know that with you no harm would ever come to this piece of me, just as you know no harm will ever come to yours as it will never leave my hand." As he spoke he lifted his wand to his chest and delicately pulled a small fragment of the remnants of his soul out and placed it carefully within the ring in Bellatrix's hands. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; line-height: normal;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"When he was finally finished creating his newest Horcrux he removed the ring from the box and carefully took her right hand, sliding it on to her ring finger. It took every ounce of her will to not tear up. Nothing in her life had ever meant so much to her. She was beyond speechless, all she could do was to look at her master with loving admiration. Nothing would ever happen to her master as long as she was around./span/p