p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""We must be ready my dearest Bella," her master's words hissed in her ear. A cold finger traced along the back of her neck as he moved around her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Her skin was set ablaze from his touch sending a chill down her spine./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""We will be my Lord," she purred back to him. The words carefully rolled off her tongue as her neck arched to him. His hand grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her into himself. His smoke-like figure engulfed her petite frame. Her breath caught as his lips found the exposed part of her neck./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""May I assume all of your preparations are in order?" The dark lord's lips were only parted far enough from her neck to be able to speak./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Of course my Lord," she was barely able to get the words out, her breath hitched as her body ached for her master. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Then I shall reward you tonight for all of your hard work," his words slowly poured over her neck before his mouth engulfed her own. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Her rewards had become more frequent as their departure for France drew closer. She could have never imagined what glorious rewards her master would have in store for her. All of her wildest dreams were nothing compared to what indulgences he allowed her. Locked away in his chambers, away from the rest of the world, they found solace in each other. Her body was his to do with as he pleased, and he took full advantage of her offering. There was not a spot on her that her master had not touched, repeatedly. She had been so afraid that they would have been too busy leading up to their departure for such things. He had proved her wrong, very wrong indeed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Tonight was different, after he had finished with her he did not leave as he usually did. Tonight he allowed her to rest in his arms, tangled up in the sheets, her head rising and falling on his chest. At this rate, it would not take her long to slip off to sleep, but she wanted to savor this moment for as long as she could. Just as she felt herself slipping off her master's grip tightened around her pulling her even closer to him. A smile cracked across her lips subconsciously and he must have felt the movement because he broke the silence almost immediately. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""We must not get too comfortable Bella," he hissed cautiously. "The path that lies before us will not be easy. But it is the only way. You will need to be at your best."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I will be my Lord," she cooed back to him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Before she knew it they had left the safety and comfort of Malfoy Manor and had arrived at one of the ancestral homes of the Lestrange family. Her work began as soon as she arrived at the mansion, there was not even time to get settled in before she was off. Her first task, evaluate their newest recruits here in France. This was a great honor that the dark lord had bestowed on her. Getting a solid and safe foothold in another country was detrimental to their success here. She would not let her master down, not now, not ever./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Her robes glided behind her as she walked purposely into the large hall where her meeting would take place. There before her stood a strong number of recruits, not unlike the ones she worked with regularly back home./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I take it that you all understand English," she barked, her eyes scanning the crowd. When she had decided that there were no issues she hissed "Good, then let us begin."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She did not want to waste any time getting their forces built up here. Once again she would prove to her master that she was his most loyal lieutenant, his most faithful servant. Just because he had rewarded her work at home did not mean she could get comfortable in her position. In fact, it made her place at his side all the more treacherous. There was no telling what one wrong step could do. Her plan was for this first training to go just like she had been conducting back home. The first step, make sure that everyone was a competent duelist. The second step, make sure that none of them were hiding any treasonous thoughts when they were not on their guard. It was all going to plan, she was working her way through the group, making sure they were all competent with their use of dark magic. And then she heard it, the faintest whisper between their new followers. And just like that Bellatrix's inner madness came ripping to the surface, like a sleeping volcano suddenly erupting. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""How dare you speak his name," her voice thunderous through the unsuspecting group. "How dare you question the dark lord!" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The room instantly grew silent, but it was too late. There was no containing the madness that coursed through Bella's veins. Without another word passing her lips her wand erupted. Black ropes shot from the tip of her wand, quickly finding her targets. Anyone foolish enough to be in her way was quickly thrown across the room until the vine-like rope found its way to ensnare her victims. The ropes slowly began to constrict her victims as if they were snakes wrapped around their next meal. Other than the muffled shouts of the wizards who had dared to speak her master's name the room was eerily silent./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Did no one tell you who I am?" she cackled manically as she slowly approached her victims. "All the stories you have heard, all of the whispers of the tasks I have carried out for the dark lord," she paused just long enough to watch the fear flicker in their eyes. "They are all true," she hissed as the ropes fell from her wand, quickly being replaced with the hot red light of her favorite curse. She did not even need to speak the words anymore to inflict the pain of the cruciatus curse. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She turned, leaving their bodies to writhe on the floor as the curse made its way through them. The fear plastered across everyone's faces was enough to satisfy her, for now. Without batting an eye she went right back to where they had been before they were so rudely interrupted. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The rest of this training continued uneventfully, until the end. As she was dismissing their new followers she felt a sudden turn in her stomach. Something was wrong. She disapparated without another word into her new room, just in time. As soon as her feet hit the ground she rushed to the bathroom making it just in time to vomit. Fear flashed across her face, her eyes watered from the retching. Something was very wrong indeed. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She laid on the floor of her room, surrounded by her unpacked trunks. They had just gotten here, she could not let her master down now. It came on so suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere. In all of her years, she had never just gotten ill out of the blue. Something had to be wrong, but what? What could be happening to her? What would the dark lord do if there was something wrong with her? She could not bear the thought of disappointing him, especially now. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to breathe through the waves of nausea when she felt the air in the room change. Her eyes flashed open just in time to catch a vision of her master approaching her. She tried to open her mouth to speak, but she knew it would not be words that left it. With just a flush of fear, she rushed back to the bathroom. Vomiting in front of the dark lord himself. She could think of no greater humiliation. How could she face him now? She left her head resting on the toilet, unwilling to open her eyes after such an embarrassing moment. She was perfectly content to hug the toilet, her eyes closed shut to avoid any more shame when she felt her master's hand on her shoulder. Her breath hitched, fear flooding her veins as she finally looked up at him. It was what she saw looking back at her that shocked her more than her current condition. Her master was standing there with a glass of water held out to her. She reached out a shaky hand, taking the glass from him. Quickly she rinsed her mouth out before taking a few small sips. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I apologize, my lord," her words were soft and deliberate as she tried to compose herself. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""What happened? Did someone do this to you?" he finally hissed back at her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I don't know my lord. No one did anything. It just came on out of nowhere." Her eyes were locked on his as she tried in vain to figure out what could be going on behind them. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I'll send for a healer," his words had barely filled the air before he was gone. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She laid back on the floor, breathing purposely, before finally getting to her feet. She cleaned up before crawling into her new bed, her glass of water on the bedside table. It did not take long for the healer to arrive. She was older, with long white hair neatly pulled back from her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Tell me what is going," her words were soft, her French accent hanging on every word. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Bellatrix recounted everything that had happened as the witch looked her over, taking notes on her clipboard. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Congratulations Madame LeStrange, your pregnant."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I'm what?" her eyes were as wide as saucers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""About six weeks along," the healer beamed as she propped Bella up with another pillow. "I will get morning sickness potions sent up, in the meantime take this," she said holding out a small purple vial./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Bella did as she was told, shock taking over. How? How could this be? She had tried for years with Rodolpus with no luck. Not that she ever fancied herself the motherly sort, but that was what you were expected to do. Now at her age, after enduring so many years in Azkaban, how had her body even managed such a feat was beyond her. Then the fear crept in. What would her master say? How was she to keep up appearances now? What would he do to her? She allowed her hand to reach over to her belly. She was pregnant with the dark lord's heir. Just as the thought crossed her mind she felt the air change, her master appearing at the foot of her bed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""My lord," she stammered. She could see it on his face that he already knew of her condition. There was no telling what he was thinking, but he definitely knew./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"He glided over to her bedside, sitting next to her, a look she had never seen before flashed across his face. He placed his hand over her hand that was resting across her belly. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""It's true," he hissed softly before looking into her eyes. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""What do I do my lord?" It took all of the strength she had to not sound completely panicked. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Just rest right now my dearest Bella," his icy words instantly soothing her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She eventually drifted off to sleep, her master was gone when she opened her eyes again. Next to her bedside was a wooden potion box, no undoubtedly filled with the potion she would need to take to help her through her pregnancy. The drapes in her room had been pulled shut and the lamps had been lit, it must be well past dinner now. There was a covered tray on the table at the other end of her room, but she could not bring herself to get up to attempt to eat. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she took a deep breath, finally managing to sit up. While the shock of her current condition was still reeling in her mind she knew that she had to pull it together. Appearances must be kept while they still could. They had not even been in France for 24 hours, yet here she was. Finally, she stepped out of bed, the least she could do was change out of her robes from earlier. She piled her hair up on top of her head, sticking her wand through it while she changed into the most comfortable pajamas she had ever owned. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Her mind raced as she looked around her new room, in that instant she wished she was back at Malfoy Manor with her sister. What would Cissy say? Not that she could tell her yet. This was her secret to bear until her master said otherwise. Even at that, she was sure that her sister might be one of the only people she might be allowed to tell. Cissy would know exactly what to say, she always did. It was then she noticed her hand resting on her belly again. Her master's heir was growing inside of her. Her and her master's heir. The Noble House of Black was about to have its most notable child added to its family tree. This brought a whole new strain of thoughts to the surface. What would the child's last name be? Would her master want to hide it as a Black or a LeStrange? This would also keep the child as a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight? Or would he want to use his surname? /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She sat back on the edge of her bed, her mind spinning out of control. Bellatrix was completely lost inside her own mind when a sudden change in the air firmly threw her back into reality. Her dark eyes flashed open wide as she felt her master's icy gaze on her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""My lord," her words were quiet, more subdued than they had been in some time./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""How are you feeling Bella?" His question lingered in the air as he moved to face her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Better, my lord." Her eyes finally moved up to meet his, but his expression surprised her. He looked, happy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Have you eaten yet? I had your dinner brought up to you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Not yet, I don't have much of an appetite," her words reflected her discomfort./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I must stress to you how important it is for you to take care of yourself in your current condition," he hissed as he placed a hand carefully on her shoulder. "Sit back in bed and I will bring your food over. I had the healers instruct the kitchen on what would be best for you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She was frozen in shock for a moment before finally doing as she was told. Her master was going to bring her dinner to her in bed. He had a special meal prepared just for her at the direction of the healers in charge of her care. Maybe this was going to go better than she had initially thought./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Thank you," she spoke softly as her master sat her tray on her lap. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I know that this is a lot to process, and the months ahead will be difficult, but everything will be worth it for this child... our child." His eyes were firmly glued to where their child was growing inside of her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""This child is the greatest honor I could have ever been given," her words were filled with pride as she gazed lovingly at her master. Every word was true. "To be frank my lord, I did not think this could ever be a possibility for me, especially this late in my life, after everything I've been through."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""There isn't a person alive who deserves this more than you do my dear Bella. To be quite frank myself, I did not know that this could ever be a possibility for me either." Their words lingered in between them for a moment before she broke the silence once again. "Now eat, you need to keep your strength up."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Yes my lord," a soft smile found its way to her lips as her master disapparated./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Her skin was set ablaze from his touch sending a chill down her spine./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""We will be my Lord," she purred back to him. The words carefully rolled off her tongue as her neck arched to him. His hand grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her into himself. His smoke-like figure engulfed her petite frame. Her breath caught as his lips found the exposed part of her neck./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""May I assume all of your preparations are in order?" The dark lord's lips were only parted far enough from her neck to be able to speak./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Of course my Lord," she was barely able to get the words out, her breath hitched as her body ached for her master. "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Then I shall reward you tonight for all of your hard work," his words slowly poured over her neck before his mouth engulfed her own. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Her rewards had become more frequent as their departure for France drew closer. She could have never imagined what glorious rewards her master would have in store for her. All of her wildest dreams were nothing compared to what indulgences he allowed her. Locked away in his chambers, away from the rest of the world, they found solace in each other. Her body was his to do with as he pleased, and he took full advantage of her offering. There was not a spot on her that her master had not touched, repeatedly. She had been so afraid that they would have been too busy leading up to their departure for such things. He had proved her wrong, very wrong indeed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Tonight was different, after he had finished with her he did not leave as he usually did. Tonight he allowed her to rest in his arms, tangled up in the sheets, her head rising and falling on his chest. At this rate, it would not take her long to slip off to sleep, but she wanted to savor this moment for as long as she could. Just as she felt herself slipping off her master's grip tightened around her pulling her even closer to him. A smile cracked across her lips subconsciously and he must have felt the movement because he broke the silence almost immediately. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""We must not get too comfortable Bella," he hissed cautiously. "The path that lies before us will not be easy. But it is the only way. You will need to be at your best."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I will be my Lord," she cooed back to him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"-/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Before she knew it they had left the safety and comfort of Malfoy Manor and had arrived at one of the ancestral homes of the Lestrange family. Her work began as soon as she arrived at the mansion, there was not even time to get settled in before she was off. Her first task, evaluate their newest recruits here in France. This was a great honor that the dark lord had bestowed on her. Getting a solid and safe foothold in another country was detrimental to their success here. She would not let her master down, not now, not ever./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Her robes glided behind her as she walked purposely into the large hall where her meeting would take place. There before her stood a strong number of recruits, not unlike the ones she worked with regularly back home./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I take it that you all understand English," she barked, her eyes scanning the crowd. When she had decided that there were no issues she hissed "Good, then let us begin."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She did not want to waste any time getting their forces built up here. Once again she would prove to her master that she was his most loyal lieutenant, his most faithful servant. Just because he had rewarded her work at home did not mean she could get comfortable in her position. In fact, it made her place at his side all the more treacherous. There was no telling what one wrong step could do. Her plan was for this first training to go just like she had been conducting back home. The first step, make sure that everyone was a competent duelist. The second step, make sure that none of them were hiding any treasonous thoughts when they were not on their guard. It was all going to plan, she was working her way through the group, making sure they were all competent with their use of dark magic. And then she heard it, the faintest whisper between their new followers. And just like that Bellatrix's inner madness came ripping to the surface, like a sleeping volcano suddenly erupting. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""How dare you speak his name," her voice thunderous through the unsuspecting group. "How dare you question the dark lord!" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The room instantly grew silent, but it was too late. There was no containing the madness that coursed through Bella's veins. Without another word passing her lips her wand erupted. Black ropes shot from the tip of her wand, quickly finding her targets. Anyone foolish enough to be in her way was quickly thrown across the room until the vine-like rope found its way to ensnare her victims. The ropes slowly began to constrict her victims as if they were snakes wrapped around their next meal. Other than the muffled shouts of the wizards who had dared to speak her master's name the room was eerily silent./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Did no one tell you who I am?" she cackled manically as she slowly approached her victims. "All the stories you have heard, all of the whispers of the tasks I have carried out for the dark lord," she paused just long enough to watch the fear flicker in their eyes. "They are all true," she hissed as the ropes fell from her wand, quickly being replaced with the hot red light of her favorite curse. She did not even need to speak the words anymore to inflict the pain of the cruciatus curse. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She turned, leaving their bodies to writhe on the floor as the curse made its way through them. The fear plastered across everyone's faces was enough to satisfy her, for now. Without batting an eye she went right back to where they had been before they were so rudely interrupted. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"The rest of this training continued uneventfully, until the end. As she was dismissing their new followers she felt a sudden turn in her stomach. Something was wrong. She disapparated without another word into her new room, just in time. As soon as her feet hit the ground she rushed to the bathroom making it just in time to vomit. Fear flashed across her face, her eyes watered from the retching. Something was very wrong indeed. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She laid on the floor of her room, surrounded by her unpacked trunks. They had just gotten here, she could not let her master down now. It came on so suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere. In all of her years, she had never just gotten ill out of the blue. Something had to be wrong, but what? What could be happening to her? What would the dark lord do if there was something wrong with her? She could not bear the thought of disappointing him, especially now. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to breathe through the waves of nausea when she felt the air in the room change. Her eyes flashed open just in time to catch a vision of her master approaching her. She tried to open her mouth to speak, but she knew it would not be words that left it. With just a flush of fear, she rushed back to the bathroom. Vomiting in front of the dark lord himself. She could think of no greater humiliation. How could she face him now? She left her head resting on the toilet, unwilling to open her eyes after such an embarrassing moment. She was perfectly content to hug the toilet, her eyes closed shut to avoid any more shame when she felt her master's hand on her shoulder. Her breath hitched, fear flooding her veins as she finally looked up at him. It was what she saw looking back at her that shocked her more than her current condition. Her master was standing there with a glass of water held out to her. She reached out a shaky hand, taking the glass from him. Quickly she rinsed her mouth out before taking a few small sips. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I apologize, my lord," her words were soft and deliberate as she tried to compose herself. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""What happened? Did someone do this to you?" he finally hissed back at her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I don't know my lord. No one did anything. It just came on out of nowhere." Her eyes were locked on his as she tried in vain to figure out what could be going on behind them. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I'll send for a healer," his words had barely filled the air before he was gone. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She laid back on the floor, breathing purposely, before finally getting to her feet. She cleaned up before crawling into her new bed, her glass of water on the bedside table. It did not take long for the healer to arrive. She was older, with long white hair neatly pulled back from her face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Tell me what is going," her words were soft, her French accent hanging on every word. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Bellatrix recounted everything that had happened as the witch looked her over, taking notes on her clipboard. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Congratulations Madame LeStrange, your pregnant."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I'm what?" her eyes were as wide as saucers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""About six weeks along," the healer beamed as she propped Bella up with another pillow. "I will get morning sickness potions sent up, in the meantime take this," she said holding out a small purple vial./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Bella did as she was told, shock taking over. How? How could this be? She had tried for years with Rodolpus with no luck. Not that she ever fancied herself the motherly sort, but that was what you were expected to do. Now at her age, after enduring so many years in Azkaban, how had her body even managed such a feat was beyond her. Then the fear crept in. What would her master say? How was she to keep up appearances now? What would he do to her? She allowed her hand to reach over to her belly. She was pregnant with the dark lord's heir. Just as the thought crossed her mind she felt the air change, her master appearing at the foot of her bed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""My lord," she stammered. She could see it on his face that he already knew of her condition. There was no telling what he was thinking, but he definitely knew./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"He glided over to her bedside, sitting next to her, a look she had never seen before flashed across his face. He placed his hand over her hand that was resting across her belly. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""It's true," he hissed softly before looking into her eyes. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""What do I do my lord?" It took all of the strength she had to not sound completely panicked. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Just rest right now my dearest Bella," his icy words instantly soothing her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She eventually drifted off to sleep, her master was gone when she opened her eyes again. Next to her bedside was a wooden potion box, no undoubtedly filled with the potion she would need to take to help her through her pregnancy. The drapes in her room had been pulled shut and the lamps had been lit, it must be well past dinner now. There was a covered tray on the table at the other end of her room, but she could not bring herself to get up to attempt to eat. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she took a deep breath, finally managing to sit up. While the shock of her current condition was still reeling in her mind she knew that she had to pull it together. Appearances must be kept while they still could. They had not even been in France for 24 hours, yet here she was. Finally, she stepped out of bed, the least she could do was change out of her robes from earlier. She piled her hair up on top of her head, sticking her wand through it while she changed into the most comfortable pajamas she had ever owned. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"Her mind raced as she looked around her new room, in that instant she wished she was back at Malfoy Manor with her sister. What would Cissy say? Not that she could tell her yet. This was her secret to bear until her master said otherwise. Even at that, she was sure that her sister might be one of the only people she might be allowed to tell. Cissy would know exactly what to say, she always did. It was then she noticed her hand resting on her belly again. Her master's heir was growing inside of her. Her and her master's heir. The Noble House of Black was about to have its most notable child added to its family tree. This brought a whole new strain of thoughts to the surface. What would the child's last name be? Would her master want to hide it as a Black or a LeStrange? This would also keep the child as a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight? Or would he want to use his surname? /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She sat back on the edge of her bed, her mind spinning out of control. Bellatrix was completely lost inside her own mind when a sudden change in the air firmly threw her back into reality. Her dark eyes flashed open wide as she felt her master's icy gaze on her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""My lord," her words were quiet, more subdued than they had been in some time./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""How are you feeling Bella?" His question lingered in the air as he moved to face her. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Better, my lord." Her eyes finally moved up to meet his, but his expression surprised her. He looked, happy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Have you eaten yet? I had your dinner brought up to you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Not yet, I don't have much of an appetite," her words reflected her discomfort./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I must stress to you how important it is for you to take care of yourself in your current condition," he hissed as he placed a hand carefully on her shoulder. "Sit back in bed and I will bring your food over. I had the healers instruct the kitchen on what would be best for you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;"She was frozen in shock for a moment before finally doing as she was told. Her master was going to bring her dinner to her in bed. He had a special meal prepared just for her at the direction of the healers in charge of her care. Maybe this was going to go better than she had initially thought./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Thank you," she spoke softly as her master sat her tray on her lap. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""I know that this is a lot to process, and the months ahead will be difficult, but everything will be worth it for this child... our child." His eyes were firmly glued to where their child was growing inside of her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""This child is the greatest honor I could have ever been given," her words were filled with pride as she gazed lovingly at her master. Every word was true. "To be frank my lord, I did not think this could ever be a possibility for me, especially this late in my life, after everything I've been through."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""There isn't a person alive who deserves this more than you do my dear Bella. To be quite frank myself, I did not know that this could ever be a possibility for me either." Their words lingered in between them for a moment before she broke the silence once again. "Now eat, you need to keep your strength up."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;""Yes my lord," a soft smile found its way to her lips as her master disapparated./p