Ok, So I don't know if I'm going to continue this story past this chapter...I've kinda accomplished what I wanted to at this point, and although I really like the characters as I have created them, I'm not sure if I want to continue. I'm playing with the idea of one more chapter to wrap everything up a little. Let me know what your opinion is...
Oh, and sorry about the confusion over what happened with Voldemortat the end ofchapter...six? I didn't ever really know what exactly happened between the two of them. I kind of had several ideas about what it could have been, and I wanted each reader to be able to decide for his/herself what happened there...so I amsorry that I don't really have a clarification about that.
Chapter Eight
Three other cloaked figures stood beside me, and I felt a faint flicker of irritation. We knew exactly who was here, why were we bothering to hide our identity from each other? I shoved my hood back to reveal my pale face and I met the gaze of our master squarely. He didn't make any move to speak, and my irritation mounted.
"What are we here for?" I demanded suddenly, and I knew instantly that I had made a mistake. My eyes widened slightly, but I kept my chin raised defiantly and I ignored the looks of shock and horror that the other three were giving me.
"Ah, patience, my Bella," Voldemort hissed, anger flashing briefly across his face. "Don't make me punish you for your impertinence, girl." His red gaze was threatening, and I nearly backed down to cower behind the others.
"You are here, because I intend to see to it that I take care of providing for you what you want of me. At least, some of you are going to get what you want," he replied, smiling evilly. I felt a chill run down my spine and I turned my gaze upon Severus who looked completely impassive.
"Bella, what do you want from me?" He asked silkily.
My eyes snapped back to Voldemort's face. "You know what I want," I said firmly. He continued to gaze at me. "Severus."
"Yes, I remember," he said, a cruel sneer twisting his face. "You were made mine to bestow upon a man of my choosing when you took the Vow, did you realize that, Bella? Why don't we see what Severus would have me give to him?" He turned that fiery gaze to Severus, who met it boldly. "Do you want Bellatrix, Severus?"
Severus shifted his gaze to me, and let his gaze slide over me appraisingly. His eyes lingered briefly, and I kept my face carefully expressionless. He smirked slightly and looked back to Voldemort. Nerves skittered along my stomach, and I had to concentrate to keep myself from doing anything stupid.
"No."
My eyes widened slightly and my jaw dropped in disbelief. Had Severus really just said that? My shocked and imploring gaze flew back to meet the red gaze of my master. He tapped a long thin finger against his lips. Severus shot me a smug look, and I clenched my fists even more tightly.
"Who would like Bellatrix?" Voldemort asked, looking at the other two standing there.
"I would," both Lucius and Rodolphus said at once.
Voldemort looked at them both. He seemed to be evaluating their claims. Even I could tell that Lucius had only spoken to try to keep me from being given to Rodolphus. It was common knowledge that I would prefer anyone to Rodolphus, and Lucius was clearly willing to try to save me from that possible fate. I knew instantly that Voldemort would realize that as well.
"Which would have, my Bella?" he asked, his red eyes turning to rest upon my face. I stared at him for half a second before answering.
"Lucius."
He looked at me for a moment, and looked back over at Lucius, clearly trying to discern whether this would be the correct action to take or not. Every fiber of my being was screaming out, begging that I not be given to Rodolphus. I knew that if Voldemort told me to marry Rodolphus, I would have to, or I would die. I didn't particularly want to die. Silently I begged that I be given to anyone except for Rodolphus. Voldemort suddenly smiled and walked over to hold my face in his hands.
"Bella, why do you protest so violently against the idea of Rodolphus?" The question was a silky caress, and his eyes seemed to be searching my soul.
"Because I hate him," I replied, sounding for all the world like a petulant child.
"Ah, I see. So noble and strong a reason," Voldemort taunted.
My heart sank. I knew instantly that he was going to give me to Rodolphus and I pressed my lips tightly together, staring at him in blind fury. Lucius was desperately waiting for our master to return his attention to him.
"My Lord, please, give me Bella," Lucius burst out finally.
"Lucius, you are beginning to irritate me," Voldemort said frostily, turning his gleaming gaze on Lucius. "You know what happens to those who irritate me." Lucius steeled himself, and I stared in shock.
"Crucio."
It rang out high and cold, and Lucius was struck with the full impact of the curse. As I watched, my mind began to slowly grasp the beauty of what that particular curse could do to a person. My lips curved in a slight smile as I watched. When he released Lucius, I didn't feel the desire to see if he was all right like I used to. My distaste was evident upon my features as he struggled back to his feet only to fall back to the ground. Severus stared at him in contempt, his handsome face twisted into an unnatural expression.
"Bella, you are given to Rodolphus," Voldemort said almost carelessly, his eyes swinging back to my face. I stared at him for a moment, feeling a sinking in the pit of my stomach. "Do you understand? You are to marry him, and remain with him for the entirety of his life."
My gaze moved to Rodolphus. I was disgusted by his expression. He was staring at me hungrily, his face lit with a maniacal joy much like that of a young boy on Christmas morning. I felt a great anger and sorrow well up within me, and I clenched my jaw tightly shut, squeezed my eyes closed, and turned slowly back to my master.
"Bellatrix, do you understand me?" He demanded, staring at me.
"Yes," I hissed, opening my eyes and staring at him in rage. "I understand perfectly."
He smiled and patted my cheek. I stared at him blind hatred and fury evident in my eyes. He leaned very close to whisper in my ear.
"When Severus comes to his senses, I shall dispose of Rodolphus and you will be free to pursue the life you and I both know you deserve and desire with Severus," he whispered, his breath warm against my neck. I held myself rigid. There was hope. I looked at Voldemort and he smiled. "But you must win him over first. You must prove to all that you are worthy of so great a wizard."
I nodded perfunctorily, and glanced at Rodolphus. I looked over at Severus, and walked over to him, standing mere inches away from him, trying desperately to push the hurt, anger, and hate that seemed to boil through me because of him aside. He Lifted a brow and looked down at me as if he knew what I was going to say.
"You should have said yes," I told him in a faintly maniacal voice. "Someday, you're going to fall in love with me. You're going to release me from this horrific contract." My voice was little more than a hiss. "And at that moment, I'm going to stop loathing you," I added coldly, finally voicing the feeling that kept sweeping through my mind.
"Then you're going to hate me for the rest of your life, Bellatrix," Severus replied in a voice just as cold and quiet.
I stared at him for a moment, and then reached up and kissed him deeply, letting him see exactly what he would be missing for the entirety of my marriage to Rodolphus.
"Get the hell away from him, Bella," Rodolphus snapped, and I turned to look at him. My eyes slid over to my master, and he nodded. I felt a harsh pull away from Severus, and I moved to stand beside Rodolphus. Voldemort smiled in perverse satisfaction before dismissing us and leaving the room in which we stood.
"You belong to me now, Bella," Rodolphus whispered, his lips brushing my cheek.
"I am not a possession, Rodolphus," I snapped, jerking a few inches away from him.
"Yes you are, and you're mine."
I stared at him in something close to horror. He smiled and took a firm grip on my arm to apparate back to Hogwarts.
"I don't care if you never love me, Bella," Rodolphus said as I turned toward the school and I looked back at him.
"Good, because I won't," I spat angrily.
"You don't have to love me, because you are mine nevertheless."
