I glanced at the sky as we walked out of the doors of the castle. It was black and inky. A frigid breeze blew angrily across the lawns, and a thin layer of white snow was still on the ground. I kept my head held high as we moved down toward the edge of the grounds so that apparition would be possible. I didn't know who aside from Lucius was going to this meeting, since most of them had hoods pulled up high enough that I couldn't see their faces. Something told me that even if I could see faces, I still wouldn't be able to tell who was going to the meeting.
My mind was focused on everything that I had been told. I was to wait until I had been summoned, and under no circumstances was I to approach their 'leader' on my own. Any weaknesses that I showed would be adequate reason for me not to be accepted. There were countless tiny details that I had been informed of, and now tried to keep straight in my mind.
"You can't apparate yet, can you?" Lucius asked me. I shook my head quickly. "Ok," he muttered and looked away for a moment. "You and you, hold onto her arms, take her with you. She hasn't learned to apparate yet."
Two of the men in the group walked over to take hold of my arms. Their large hands wrapped almost painfully around my upper arms. I tossed my head defiantly, daring anyone to say anything about my presence. Without warning, the two apparated, and I had to focus on not being ill upon arriving at our destination. We were in an old house...one that was unnaturally familiar. I couldn't determine whose it was, or why I found it so familiar, but...
"Ah, Lucius, what have you brought to me this evening?"
The voice was high, cold, and oddly musical. My head turned toward it, and I strained to see who it belonged to. There were two large men standing in my way and I could not see past their broad shoulders.
"Hmm, I've brought a girl interested in joining our ranks. It seemed best to bring her to you," he replied in a tone of disgusting servility.
"No!" I shouted, jerking away from the two holding me and pushing past the two men standing in front of me. "He did not bring me to you!" I shouted, as I found myself face to face with a man I had never seen before in my life. Only then did it occur to me that I was supposed to wait until I was addressed. A faint flush stained my cheeks, but it went mostly unnoticed.
The man standing before me had an unusual slitted nose, red eyes, pale skin, and long fingered hands. The whole picture he presented was oddly sensual and I found myself at a loss for words. Deep inside, I nevertheless wondered how my bowing and sniveling to this man was going to be able to make Severus feel differently about me.
"Lucius did not bring you to me?" he asked in surprise, lifting one of his hands to tap a finger against his cheek. "Well, then, girl, who did bring you?"
I stared at him for a moment, my head held high and proud. "I bring myself to you," I stated firmly. He nodded slightly.
"Lucius, you may stay. Everyone else, leave." The command rang through the room and I felt a brief flicker of fear and confusion about what was to happen. The red eyes returned to me and I met the gaze squarely.
"Tell me, girl, do you know what joining this order entails?" the man asked me coolly.
"No," I replied calmly. "But I will do it, whatever it might bel."
He smiled dangerously. "We are working for the purification of the Wizarding World," he said calmly and coolly. "We are going to restore to predominance the beliefs and values of Salazar Slytherin. I lead this crusade, and I am known to all as Lord Voldemort," he told me, his eyes never leaving mine. "I would expect you to do everything that I would need of you neither hesitation nor question."
I stared at him for a moment, and nodded briefly. "I would do as you require."
"We will make certain of that in a few moments," the man hissed. "First, tell me, what is it that you want of me? I can tell there is an ulterior motive for coming to me."
"I want to see the wizarding world purified, naturally," I responded automatically.
"That is a lie," he said silkily. "Why don't you tell me what you truly desire from me?"
His eyes bored into mine. I knew instantly that he was using Legilimency on me, but that he wanted me to verbalize my desire in front of all gathered. I felt a brief flicker of annoyance, but assumed this to be a test of some sort.
"I want you to make Severus love me," I said quietly. He nodded briefly and smiled wickedly.
"We shall work on that. What is your name?"
"Bellatrix Black," I said proudly.
"My, my, Bellatrix, why don't you come to me and we'll make certain that you will follow each and every one of my instructions? You're going to be taking an Unbreakable Vow, my Bellatrix."
I squashed my nervousness and stepped up to him. I pulled out my wand. I crossed it with his, and he looked at Lucius who nodded and brought his own wand to bear.
"Will you follow any and all instructions I give to you regardless of what it may entail?" Voldemort asked coldly, his eyes boring into mine.
"I will," I said, and a small band of light from Lucius' wand wrapped itself around mine and Voldemort's.
"Will you allow me to give you instructions pertaining to all aspects of your life?"
"Yes."
"Will you follow those instructions as well as those regarding activities of this group?"
"Yes."
"Will you do everything that I say?"
"I will."
He nodded and Lucius carefully put away his wand. Voldemort turned his attention to me, and lifted one finger to trace the line of my cheek.
"Bellatrix, I can already tell that you are going to become my most loyal servant," he said quietly. "In time, I shall keep nothing from you."
I smiled at his words, a dark pleasure creeping into my heart.
"Now, my Bellatrix, I shall see what I can do about Severus," he whispered, cupping my face in his hands and placing a kiss upon my lips. "You may leave, Lucius."
Lucius turned and left the room. I stood alone in the room with Lord Voldemort. I was somewhat unsure as to what he wanted with me. I knew he was taking the measure of me, and I hoped that he would be able to figure out how I would be of the most use to him.
"Bellatrix, come closer," he said firmly.
Almost against my will, I took a step closer to him so that I stood merely inches away.
"I believe I have determined my first assignment for you."
