Ahem, so I couldn't help myself, and after re-reading theentire series(for like the millionth time) I decided that I could safely write about Bellatrix's experiences as mentioned by JKR in the books. Ha, besides, I had too many ideas to ignore this story anymore! I hope you all don't mind too terribly that I abandoned this story for a while, and hopefully you'll be patient as I continue this story. Thanks so much for your support and reviews, you are truly helpful!

Chapter 11

I stared at the smoldering ruins of what had once been a house. It was clear that others had already been here, and I knew that there was nothing for me to find among the wreckage. I purposefully ignored Rabastan whispering to Rodolphus behind me, and lifted my hands to rub at my temples.

What had become of Lord Voldemort? I had heard whispers, stories in these past hours. And I didn't believe any of them. Nothing would kill my master, and even if it did, there were still the Horcruxes to fall back on.

Rodolphus walked up to me, leaving Rabastan at the edge of thewreckage,and placed his hand on my arm. I looked over at him, and lifted a brow, waiting for him to speak.

"Do you have a plan in mind, Bella?" he asked me quietly.

"We have to find him, of course," I snapped waspishly, shoving my hair over my shoulder and looking backover what was left of the Potters residence.

"How do you propose we go about doing that?" He asked pointedly.

"We go to the next family he mentioned to me," I snarled, jerking away from him. "We go to the Longbottoms. They would have known that he was after them. They would have been protected just as well as the Potters and in the same way, Rodolphus." I felt a sickening pull in my stomach. "We must at least try to find him"

He stared at me for a few moments, clearly trying to decide if I was serious about this endeavor.

"Rodolphus," I said quietly, looking up at him, "if we don't try to find him, I will die."

He snorted, and I grabbed the front of his shirt, my jaw clenched tightly. His gaze dropped to my face and confusion flickered across his features.

"All right," he said quietly. I nodded and let go of his shirt, stepping away. Clearly he still didn't understand how serious my previous statement was, but I couldn't tell him everything and risk having to deal with his temper.

There was a loud crack behind me, and I whirled around to find that Severus was standing beside Rabastan at the edge of the wreckage. My heart leaped into my throat. I hadn't seen Severus in months, and I had never realized just how much I depended upon him just to be present after the fiasco in the cave.

"Bella, where were you when our master needed you?" Severus sneered, stalking up to me and taking my chin firmly in his grasp. I stared him defiantly in the eye.

Completely by accident, I had learned that Severus was a skilled Legilimens, and as a result, I had immediately learned Occlumency. I wasn't bad at it, either. I didn't realize that in time I would have more uses for my Occlumency than just keeping Severus out of my mind.

"Tricky, tricky, Bella. I see you've learned to block off your mind. Did our Master know of your...hidden talent?" Severus asked silkily.

"No," I said boldly. He nodded and dropped his hand to his side. I stared up at him, undisguised longing on my features.

"Looks like Bellatrix has got herself a male companion, Rodolphus," Rabastan commented eerily as he slowly ventured toward us. I shot him a glare full of venom and pressed my lips tightly together.

"Just who do you think you are?" Rodolphus demanded suddenly, walking up to Severus.

"Excuse me?" Severus asked, genuinely confused.

"Bellatrix belongs to ME," my husband snarled.

"Well in that case, I'll deliver my message and be gone," Severus said quietly. "I trust you know that our master was also after the Longbottoms. It seems to me that if anyone would know what spells were in place and how to counter their effects on our master, it would be them." His gaze drifted to my face, and I pressed my lips tightly together.

"Yes, we know that," Rodolphus snapped. "We were going to be heading there next."

"Ah, well, in that case, best of luck. Oh, and Bellatrix," he added, glancing back at me, "you might want to tell your sister hello from me."

Rage boiled up in me, and I clenched my fists. Snape merely lifted a brow and sauntered away from us and out to a clear area several feet from the edge of what was left of the Potter's home.

"Let's go, Rodolphus. You had best keep up, Rabastan, I have neither the time nor the inclination to wait on you." I snarled, grabbing my husband roughly by his sleeve and dragging him away from the Potters.

"We have an appointment with the Longbottoms, and we wouldn't want to be late.."