One Year Later

Bellatrix stared at herself in the mirror. She'd definitely lost enough weight, she decided, and was back to her usual healthy looking self. The knee length, long sleeved emerald green dress she was wearing looked lovely and her hair and make up was elegantly styled by her personal dresser (She didn't have time for such trivialities any more). She stepped into her high heels, put her diamond and emerald drop earrings in and made sure that her locket was in place.

As the Deputy Minister, she was recognised, and her policies were well known. As the Dark Lady, she was celebrated. Although she never acknowledged them, there were many photographs taken of her and published in magazines, with tiny snippets of information about what she was wearing below the pictures. She knew that this outfit would be published as well, because today was a rather special day.

Bellatrix reached down and picked up her set of cream robes, pulling them over the dress. The robes were also long sleeved and were tailored to fit her perfectly. They fell just below the hem of the dress. Then finally, she placed a small green fascinator on her head, pinning it into place. She was ready. With a final nod to herself in the mirror, Bellatrix walked into the lounge.

Voldemort was sat on the sofa, smiling up at her. In his arms was their two-month-old son, sleeping peacefully. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yep," Bellatrix replied, taking the baby out of his arms. Salazar Marvolo Gaunt was dressed in a beautiful cream robe, trimmed with lace. It complimented his dark mop of hair and dark blue eyes perfectly. "Did he wake up?"

"No," Voldemort replied, looking her up and down. "You look really beautiful, Bella. I think those were the colours you wore when we got married."

Bellatrix nodded. Voldemort was dressed exquisitely, as usual, in tailored robes with a matching suit underneath, all in green and black. It was a sharp contrast to his now permanent red eyes. Although he had not performed any more dark magic on himself, Bellatrix had decided to spell them red because he looked sexier, and more like the Dark Lord. Bellatrix ran her fingers through his hair. "Honestly, it's got messier since it grew back."

Voldemort smirked at her. "Sorry, darling. Shall I shave it off?"

Bellatrix glared back at him. "Do that and I'll cut your head off."

"I doubt that," Voldemort replied, kissing her briefly on the cheek. "Otherwise you wouldn't get any sleep."

Bellatrix snorted. "Or I could just sleep during the time you normally insist on fucking me?"

Voldemort shook his head. "Swearing in front of the baby?" he asked, smirking.

"He's asleep," Bellatrix said, looking down at him. His eyes were still closed.

"Well, don't pretend you hate it, Bella. No one would ever believe you."

Bellatrix smiled at him. "True. I thought we'd be at least a bit bored of each other by now."

Voldemort laughed softly. "You could never get bored of me."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "True, you're always right!" She glanced up at the clock. "Right, we'd better go."

"I'll apparate us," Voldemort said, taking her hand in his. "Hold Salazar tight."

"I'm not going to let him go, Tom," she retorted, rolling her eyes. They apparated to the gates of Malfoy manor, which was decorated with ivory roses to celebrate the occasion, where they were greeted by around ten photographers. It was not entirely unexpected. She smiled at them, coldly, letting go of Voldemort's hand for a moment to check Salazar before looking back up to the cameras. All the flashes were slightly off putting.

"Thank you, gentlemen," Voldemort said coolly, after a moment. "We are here for a family celebration." He took Bellatrix's hand and let them through the gates. "They make my wand twitch," he said after a moment. "Such a shame I can't crucio the lot of them."

Bellatrix grinned. "Well, it's been a year since you did. Maybe it's time to reassert your authority."

"You know your sister would kill me if I did something like that on her son's wedding day," Voldemort replied lightly.

"She wouldn't kill you, exactly," Bellatrix replied, smirking up at him. "But your life wouldn't be fun. She'd have needlework put on the curriculum at Hogwarts, or something."

Voldemort groaned. "Those poor kids."

"She's a brilliant Headmistress," Bellatrix said with a laugh as they entered the open front door and headed for the parlour.

Lucius and Draco were stood alone in the room. Draco looked nervous.

"Good morning," Bellatrix said, smiling at them both. "All ready?"

"Mother thinks that there aren't enough flowers," Draco said, scowling slightly. "Astoria didn't want too many flowers."

"I'll go and distract her," Bellatrix replied, smirking slightly. "Is she at the gazebo?"

"Yes," Draco said, sounding slightly miserable.

Bellatrix grinned at her husband. "I'll be back before the guests arrive," she told him, knowing that they needed to be seen to arrive together. Half of the Ministry was going to be coming.

Looking back down at Salazar to check him for a moment, Bellatrix headed out to the gazebo. Draco and Astoria had decided that they wanted to get married outside, and so there were hundreds of beautiful white chairs surrounding the flower-covered gazebo. She could see Narcissa fussing with something to one side.

"Narcissa," she called out.

Narcissa turned and smiled as she saw her sister and her nephew and she came over to them. "Look at him!" she said, holding her arms out. Bellatrix handed him over. "He's definitely bigger. And such a lovely gown, Bellatrix."

"I couldn't have brought him in a baby grow, to his first public appearance," Bellatrix responded, sniggering. She noticed Narcissa was wearing a shimmering pink set of robes with a matching hat. "You look lovely," she said after a moment. "Hope Salazar doesn't throw up on you later."

Narcissa laughed. "It's more likely to be you, sister."

"Not on the cream robes!" Bellatrix said, shaking her head. "I'll give him to Tom."

"Is Salazar sleeping through the night yet?" Narcissa asked.

Bellatrix shook her head. "I'm wearing so much make up I can hardly move my face," she said. "Honestly, I looked like death warmed up this morning. And Tom manages to look perfect, with less sleep than I get."

"I think you are too harsh on yourself," Narcissa replied. "Do you think it looks alright out here? Astoria wants things to be kept simple, but we are Malfoy's and…"

"Narcissa," Bellatrix cut in. "It looks stunning. The weather is fine and it looks beautiful out here."

"I know," Narcissa replied softly. "It does look beautiful. I just want today to be perfect."

"Don't you remember how irritating mother always was when she fussed?" Bellatrix asked. "Don't be like that. Let's go inside and get you a drink."

Narcissa tutted. "I'm not being like that," she retorted. "I'd like to see the bride before the guests arrive."

Bellatrix decided it was probably best to go with her. She took the baby back into her arms as they went inside. Things had been strained between Narcissa and Astoria's mother, Cordelia, due to differences of opinion over the wording of the invitations. As they reached the room, Bellatrix realised it was the same room that Narcissa had got ready in on her wedding day. There was something quite nice about that.

Everything seemed calm. Astoria was by the window, apparently almost ready. Daphne, her elder sister and bridesmaid, was applying her make up. Cordelia was fussing over the veil that was hanging up in the corner. They immediately stopped what they were doing and crowded around Bellatrix to see Salazar.

"Such a handsome boy," Cordelia said, smiling coolly.

"He is lovely, my Lady," Daphne said, stroking his cheek with her finger. "He is two months old now, isn't he?"

Bellatrix nodded. "Yes," she replied. "Sleeps all day and cries all night."

Cordelia tutted slightly, and Bellatrix was immediately irritated by her. "You should put a stop to that."

Bellatrix glared slightly, suddenly reminded of her own mother. She felt very sorry for Astoria and Daphne. "What would you suggest?" she asked coldly.

"You should wake him whenever he sleeps during the day, then he will sleep through the night," Cordelia continued.

"Surely the child knows when he needs to sleep and will do so?" Narcissa said, sensing Bellatrix's irritation.

"If you say so," Cordelia responded, turning away.

"Mrs Greengrass," Narcissa said, her voice slightly haughty. "Please do not forget to whom you speak." She gestured to Bellatrix. "My sister is the Dark Lady, you forget yourself."

Cordelia threw a smirk in their direction. Bellatrix had sensed a little bit of distain from a few of the pureblood wives, but then she had never exactly acted like a lady or moved in those sort of circles. Now, it was expected of her, and she didn't like it.

"Today is Draco and Astoria's day," Bellatrix said softly, smiling at Astoria who seemed embarrassed. "I am happy to welcome her into my family."

Astoria curtseyed. "Thank you, my Lady," she said, smiling. "Draco has always spoken highly of you." She stepped forwards and continued to speak quietly. "I was with him, during that year at Hogwarts. I was the year below him, but I like to think I was of help to him, like you were."

Bellatrix smiled, leaning forwards and kissing her on the cheek. "I hope to see more of you at Ministry events, after your honeymoon. If such a thing would interest you, of course."

"It would," Astoria responded. "Thank you. You are such a role model to some of us pureblood girls," she said, beckoning to Daphne who was listening with interest. "You have always been considerate of your career over your married life."

Bellatrix smirked. "The two are one, really, when your husband is the Dark Lord." She could see Cordelia glaring at her. "I'll leave you to finish getting ready," she added. She glanced at Narcissa, rolling her eyes, before heading back downstairs. Draco's best man, Blaise, her bodyguard, was now in the parlour.

Blaise bowed to her. "My Lady," he said. "Are you well?"

"Wonderful, thank you," she said, smiling at him. She had hardly been out since Salazar was born and Antonin had been on call and so Blaise had been given a couple of months off. "I've just had the pleasure of Mrs Greengrass," she said to the others.

Draco looked slightly worried. "Was she polite?" he asked, frowning.

"Not at all," Bellatrix replied, smirking. "Such distain for me."

Voldemort laughed, stepping towards her. "You don't care about that, do you?" he asked, arching an eyebrow as he looked at her.

"Not when I'm married to the best looking man in the world," Bellatrix replied softly, smirking at him again. Voldemort chuckled, looking down at their son. Then he looked back up at her.

"I suspect I might have competition for that title by the time he turns eighteen," he replied.

Bellatrix looked down at Salazar. It was true, he was a very beautiful baby but that was hardly a surprise. Bellatrix was relieved that he was a boy, to be honest, because she knew Voldemort would be a nightmare if he was a girl.

"I'd better wake him and feed him before the guests arrive," Bellatrix said, smiling at her husband. "Cordelia Greengrass will be furious if he starts screaming during her daughters' wedding."

Voldemort shook his head slightly. "She can't be rude to you."

"All of the pureblood ladies are," Bellatrix replied, chuckling slightly. "What are you going to do about it?" She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Since when did you wait for me to deal with your issues for you?" Voldemort asked, his expression slightly confused.

"Not very ladylike, is it, the cruciatus curse," Bellatrix replied, smirking at him before heading over to Lucius. "Anywhere I can go to feed Salazar?"

"You can go to my study, if you like," Lucius replied with a nod. "How is he?"

"Sleepy," Bellatrix looked down at the baby.

"He looks like you," Lucius said after a moment. "He looks like a Black."

Bellatrix grinned. "Don't tell Tom that," she said, snickering. "He's not the greatest fan of the Black's."

"I think he likes at least one of them," Lucius replied, smirking at her.

Bellatrix nodded. "I suppose he does." She turned and left the room, headed towards his study. She heard someone following, and realised it was Voldemort. "Can't get enough of me?" she asked, smirking.

"Thought I should help, seeing as he is my son," Voldemort replied, sitting down in Lucius's chair.

Bellatrix smirked again, sitting down on the leather sofa in the corner of the room and undoing her dress to feed the baby. "I think you just wanted to sit in Lucius's chair."

"That too," Voldemort agreed. "This is the room I first met Lucius in."

"Has he stopped drinking yet?" Bellatrix asked, frowning slightly. Lucius had struggled to give up drinking after the war. "He looks better." Salazar started to happily suckle from his mother.

"I don't think he will ever stop," Voldemort said, turning to watch her. "He knows that he has to continue at the Ministry until Draco has learnt enough to take over."

"Does Draco want to take over?" Bellatrix asked, raising her eyebrows at him. She wouldn't blame him if he didn't.

Voldemort shrugged, reclining back in the chair. "He doesn't need to. I'm sure I can cope without a Malfoy. He can live out his life in that house they have in France if he wants to."

Bellatrix looked down to Salazar, smoothing the soft skin on his cheek with the tip of her finger. She hoped that he would never suffer in the way that Draco had.

"What are Astoria's ambitions?" Voldemort asked, tilting his head to look at her.

"She might be useful," Bellatrix said, nodding and resting her head on the back of the sofa. "She said I am a role model to the pureblood girls."

Voldemort chuckled. "You certainly are different."

Bellatrix smiled at him. "You have never wanted a housewife, Tom."

"That would be horrendous," Voldemort responded, sitting up straight and looking at her. "What I have is a beautiful, clever and feisty wife who stands up for what she believes in. She doesn't talk about people behind their backs, she says it to their faces."

"I talk about you all the time," Bellatrix said, smirking.

Voldemort stared at her, before standing up and moving towards her. He knelt at her feet and kissed her free hand. "But you always say nice things, my love," he said, smiling.

"Mostly," she replied, looking into his red eyes. "And if the things I said were bad, they would be deserved."

He chuckled again, and she shivered slightly. That sound was delicious. She felt his hand wrap around her leg and his lips against the skin of her knee. Then he moved to the other knee and kissed that, before looking up at her, his eyes glinting. "If we didn't have a baby right now, I'd be using this opportunity to fuck you over Lucius's desk."

Bellatrix laughed, looking down at Salazar. "I'm glad that hasn't changed," she replied. "He's finished, can you hold him?"

Voldemort stood up, picking up the baby. He smiled, and Bellatrix realised it was a smile she hadn't really seen before. She could see how much he loved the tiny baby from that alone. She quickly got her dress back together and they left the room. She saw Salazar had fallen back to sleep.

"I think we have the sleepiest baby in the world," she said, smirking. Back in the parlour, there were more people. "Is it nearly time?" Bellatrix asked Draco, who looked pretty nervous.

"Yes, we should probably go outside now," Draco said. Blaise handed him a drink.

"You look like you need it, Malfoy," he said, smirking. Draco shook his head at Blaise, but drank it in one anyway. Out of the corner of her eye, Bellatrix could see Lucius pouring himself a very big drink. She sighed a little, looking up at Voldemort and tilting her head in Lucius's direction. Voldemort passed the baby back and went over.

Stepping away from Draco, Bellatrix saw Narcissa. "What is going on with you and Lucius?" she murmured. Narcissa looked up at her, and then over to Lucius and her expression darkened. She could see Lucius and Voldemort in a fairly heated, although hushed, discussion.

"Nothing," Narcissa responded, her expression collected once more. "Nothing is going on. That appears to be the problem."

Bellatrix gasped. "You're not going to divorce?" she whispered behind her hand.

Narcissa shook her head. "Have you ever heard of a divorced Malfoy?" she hissed. "I spend my time at Hogwarts now. The children there need me." She shot Bellatrix a glare, before moving over to Draco. "Shall we go outside?" Bellatrix could hear her asking him. "The guests should be assembling."

As they left, most of the people in the room followed. As it became quiet, Bellatrix could hear the discussion that was taking place between her husband and Lucius. "You will ruin the Malfoy name," Voldemort was saying quietly. Bellatrix moved closer, sighing lightly.

"I have already ruined the Malfoy name," Lucius snapped back, in a way Bellatrix had never seen him speak to the Dark Lord. "You saw to that for me."

"Enough," Bellatrix said, seeing Voldemort's wand appear in his hand. "Now is not the time for this," she continued, stepping forwards. She laid a hand on her husbands'. "Lucius, you can't carry on like this."

Lucius sneered at them both. "It is nothing to do with either of you," he snarled, leaving the room with a glare at them.

"He's in denial," Voldemort said softly, putting his arm around her. "He won't stop until he accepts he has a problem."

"Has he ever spoken to you like that before?" Bellatrix asked frowning, as they slowly left the room.

"No," Voldemort replied, shaking his head. He looked kind of sad. "But I don't mind. I deserve it."

"It wasn't your fault, Tom," she said as they stepped outside.

She could kind of see him looking down at her, and she tilted her head slightly, looking back. He was smiling. "At least I know you'll always defend me," he replied. Bellatrix smirked back. As they reached the back of the house, she could see lots of people sat down around the gazebo. "Ready to make our entrance?" he asked her quietly.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes. She still wasn't used to all of this fussiness. She was used to people running away in fear from her, but now suddenly she was a mother and a wife and was no longer scary. It was very irritating having everyone wanting to be her friend and look at her baby – and her husband. She'd forgotten how annoying it had been when he was so gorgeous before, because no one wanted to fawn over him and flirt with him when he looked like a snake. "Put your arm around me. I can see myself falling on my face and squashing our baby."

Voldemort snorted, but put his arm around her all the same. "You never used to care," he said after a moment of walking towards the crowded gazebo.

"I wasn't the Dark Lady then," she mumbled back. As they approached, everyone stood up. Bellatrix sighed lightly as they walked down the aisle towards the front where they had seats reserved. There was silence around them. Bellatrix focussed on walking forwards without tripping over. She wondered why she'd even considered these ridiculously high shoes in the first place. As they sat down, everyone around them sat too.

She rolled her eyes again as she noticed Antonin and Maelor were sitting directly opposite them. Antonin's wand was resting threateningly on his lap. She glared at him, but he just smirked back. He knew how much she hated being guarded like she was. She shot Voldemort a dirty look too, but she felt herself filled with such a pleasant feeling of happiness, radiating through their Horcrux bond, that she couldn't keep it up for long. He was only trying to be nice by protecting her and their son, after all.

Then she noticed Draco and Blaise, standing together. Draco was still pale, but he looked a bit better. She looked around further and noticed Lucius and Narcissa sitting to the left of Drace and Blaise, and to the left of them she could see Mr and Mrs Greengrass. Then she realised that Cordelia Greengrass was staring directly at them, and it wasn't until Bellatrix raised her eyebrow with a smirk at her that she stopped.

She wasn't used to the bitchiness of women. She was used to the blatant words of men, and she found that she preferred the company of men. Her husband must have noticed, because he moved closer and whispered something in her ear, causing her expression to darken. He had already made himself known to them, and although he had never been an active Death Eater, he was a supporter. Then he stood up and walked back towards the house, nodding respectfully at them both.

"Looks like the Greengrass bitch just got put in her place," Bellatrix mumbled to Voldemort.

"Good," he said shortly. "I won't have her, or any of the others, be rude to you. If it wasn't for you, they would be widows of the dementor's kiss."

Bellatrix smirked, looking up at him for a moment. His expression was deadly serious. "Are they back at Azkaban?" she asked him thoughtfully.

He looked down at her again. "Yes, why?" he asked, slightly cautiously. He knew that she never wanted to go near a dementor again and had taken care of them quickly and quietly.

"Just wondered," she replied quietly.

"It's where they belong," Voldemort said after a moment. Music started to play, which signalled the entrance of the bride. Bellatrix stood up, along with everyone else, watching as Astoria walked towards Draco. Her father was now escorting her down the aisle. She looked very beautiful, dressed in a lace and silk ivory gown, her light brown hair glinting golden in the sun underneath her veil. She was clutching a bouquet of ivory roses, and Bellatrix was reminded of her wedding.

They sat as the ceremony began, but Bellatrix wasn't listening. Voldemort was showing her images from his memory of their wedding day – as she had walked down the aisle towards him – through their bond.

Bellatrix tilted her head, smiling at him slightly. Somehow, he seemed to love her more as each day passed by. She knew that it was his way of making things up to her.

"You don't need to do that," she thought, projecting the words towards the tiny glimmer of light in her mind that was his splinter of soul inside of her.

She noticed his smirk. "I seem to remember that during the last Malfoy wedding I attended I spent the whole time imagining our wedding. Why not do the same now?"

Bellatrix rolled her eyes at him. "Will you ever grow up?"

She felt his fingers graze her thigh lightly, slowly sliding around upwards; hidden by the long gown that Salazar was wearing. She had to bite her lip to stop her smile as he withdrew his hand. She looked up, instantly noticing the dirty look at Antonin was giving them. She looked hastily back down at Salazar, trying desperately hard not to laugh. It was Antonin's job to make sure that they were safe, so he had to look at them. "Stop it," she said, trying to stop feeling so amused. She knew that feeling would transfer to him, and that would spur him on to do more.

"Why?"

Bellatrix shot her husband a dirty look. "You know why."

"Antonin and Maelor do the most horrendous things to each other during meetings. Will you let me stop them? No."

Bellatrix wrinkled her nose, looking back over at them. She was thrilled that Antonin had someone, but they were very disgustingly in love. Worse than she was. She suddenly realised that Draco and Astoria were kissing and she hastily stood with everyone else. She smiled as she watched them and was glad that they were married. Astoria seemed like a lovely young lady and Bellatrix was happy that her nephew had her.

As they turned to walk back towards the house, Bellatrix caught Draco's gaze for a moment. He smiled at her, nodding slightly. Both parties joined the procession behind them, and after that Voldemort and Bellatrix followed. Antonin was close behind.

"I saw that," he murmured to them both.

"Saw what, dear?" Bellatrix asked, smirking over her shoulder. As they got inside, Bellatrix sighed. "Your turn to hold him," she said, handing Salazar over to Voldemort. "I've got arm ache, plus I could murder a champagne." She headed over to the large table that had probably a hundred beautiful champagne flutes, each filled with bubbly liquid. She picked one up, and spotted Posey nearby.

"Posey!" she called and headed over to her.

"My Lady," Posey replied, smirking. "Where is Salazar?"

"With my husband," Bellatrix replied, gesturing over to the other side of the room to Voldemort, who was now talking to Rowle, Antonin and Maelor. "How are you?"

"Good, thank you. Surprised to be invited, actually." Posey took a slightly nervous sip of her champagne.

"You've every right to be here," Bellatrix responded. "It's so good to see you again."

"It was only last month," Posey replied, smirking.

"It seems longer. Come and see Sal." Bellatrix took Posey's hand, dragging her over to Voldemort and the others. As they approached, Bellatrix could see Antonin reach for his wand slightly.

"Tom," Bellatrix murmured. Voldemort looked up at her, and then to Posey.

"Posey," he said, nodding his greeting to her in a very cold manner.

"My Lord," Posey responded, curtseying slightly. "Mr Dolohov," she continued with a nod, her voice slightly cold.

"Mrs Weasley," Antonin replied, scowling at her. "I had no idea you would be here."

"Sorry to disappoint you," Posey replied, smiling very slightly at him.

Bellatrix snorted. "Enough, Salazar wants to see his Auntie Posey." She picked him up from Voldemort's arms, showing him proudly to Posey.

"He's so sweet," Posey said, moving closer. "Two months already."

"I know, it's gone so quickly," Bellatrix replied, smirking and giving him back to Voldemort. "Pregnancy seems to last forever, but as soon as they are born it's like time speeds up."

Posey laughed softly, glancing around her. "I'd better go, Bellatrix. I've actually brought a date."

Bellatrix grinned. "Who?" she asked softly.

"Alfred Abbott," she replied, giggling slightly. "I know he's a bit older but…"

Bellatrix didn't need her to finish that sentence. She knew Alfred's brother, and he was very good looking. "I'm so pleased!" she said, hugging Posey tightly. She knew things had been difficult for Posey during the last year. There were not many people will to accept her back into society, but Bellatrix didn't care, and actually neither did most of the men in their world. Posey was good looking and in a perceived position of influence.

She watched as Posey moved away before rounding back on Voldemort and Antonin. "Could either of you behave any worse?" she snapped, glaring. Antonin looked at Voldemort for a second, before looking back to Bellatrix with a frown. Bellatrix sighed, taking his point. Yes, they could have behaved worse. She sipped her champagne. "Just be nicer, okay?"

"Sorry, Mum," Voldemort replied with a smirk. Antonin sniggered, before hastily turning away to find Maelor as he received a dirty look from her. Antonin and Voldemort got on very well now, mostly because they knew how to irritate her more when they were together. Bellatrix was half happy and half annoyed about that.

"Men," she mumbled, turning away from them. She hoped if she got pregnant again, it would be a girl. She knew Voldemort would be worse if they had a girl, but at least when she was older she would take Bellatrix's side more. She felt like she needed someone to be on her side.

Draco and Astoria entered the room. There was applause for them, and they paused for a moment to smile around. Bellatrix thought Astoria looked like a perfect Malfoy. Then after a moment, they stepped towards Bellatrix and Voldemort. Bellatrix hugged both of them. "Congratulations," she said, grinning happily. Voldemort shook Draco's hand and kissed Astoria on the cheek.

"Thank you, Auntie," Draco responded. He looked to Voldemort and nodded. "My Lord."

"How long is your honeymoon?" Voldemort asked, putting his free arm around his wife.

"Three weeks, my Lord," Astoria replied, smiling as someone handed her champagne.

"And when you return, I trust Draco will be joining us at the Ministry?" Voldemort continued.

"I will be, yes," Draco responded, looking to Bellatrix for a moment before looking back to Voldemort. Astoria pressed a kiss against his cheek.

"We are so proud," she said softly, looking at Draco with a smile. She looked back at Voldemort. "Draco is honoured, my Lord."

Bellatrix laughed lightly for a moment, very aware that Astoria was not so unlike herself. "Well, we shouldn't hog you," she said after a moment. "You have hundreds of other guests to greet."

As the new Malfoy's moved away, Bellatrix turned back to Voldemort and Salazar, ensuring that the baby was warm enough. "She's good," Voldemort murmured. Bellatrix looked up at him. "She's a Malfoy now."

Bellatrix laughed again. "She's been well taught by her mother. She'll be very useful to us, Tom."

Voldemort smirked down at her adoringly. "I'm sure you're right, wifey." He watched as she kissed Salazar, and then tilted her chin up so that he could kiss her as well.

x-x

Bellatrix was sure she was going to be late for the monthly meeting at the Ministry, but there wasn't really very much she could do about it. She wasn't going to turn up and sit through an important meeting with baby sick down her back. She'd decided to go to their office and change first, having left Salazar with his nanny. The only robes she could find were a dark shade of pink. She guessed Narcissa had put them there, in an attempt to see her sister in a shade that she was certain suited her. Bellatrix didn't agree at all. She headed down a level, entering the large meeting room and realising she wasn't late. There were only a few people present.

She moved towards the back of Voldemort's chair. "Hello," she said, pressing her hands on his shoulders and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"There you are," he said, glaring at her. "Antonin said you didn't meet him."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, sitting down in her seat next to him. "Salazar threw up on me. Had to change." She glanced down the table and spotted Antonin and Maelor whispering and smirking at each other. "He doesn't look very worried about me."

Voldemort scowled at her. "They've got their brains in their pants at the moment."

Bellatrix smiled. "They are sweet," she said. "You've got to ease up on this bodyguard thing, Tom."

His scowl deepened as he glared at her. "I will do no such thing."

Bellatrix sighed. "Please, Tom." She leant closer to him. "I'll let you fuck me."

He tilted his head to look at her, his gaze more intense. "Not good enough. And language!"

Smirking, Bellatrix licked the shell of his ear. "Please, Tommy." She could hear him inhaling sharply. "I'll do anything you want." He groaned slightly, and she knew her feminine charms were working him down. This new pet name she had for him, Tommy, was definitely one to be kept secret. She could just imagine how much fun their friends would have teasing him if they knew she called him that. Somehow, it made him weaken to her desires. She wasn't sure why.

His hand made its way into her hair, squeezing tight. He brought his lips to her ear. "You will do exactly as I tell you to do tonight, Bellatrix," he murmured. He pulled back slightly to look at her, his eyes glimmering bright red. "I am still your Master."

Bellatrix laughed softly, looking at him in the eyes. "You'll have to prove it, Tom," she responded, meeting his challenge.

Under the table, his hand gripped her leg roughly. "I will," he hissed. Through their Horcrux bond, Bellatrix could feel a surge of desire push through from him. She sat back in her chair, grinning at him. She looked back down the table and could see Antonin and Maelor still hadn't noticed she'd arrived.

"Dolohov," she called down the table. Both he and Maelor looked up in surprise.

"Oh, there you are!" he called back as if she'd only just walked in and that he'd been very worried.

"I've been here for ages," Bellatrix replied, smirking. "My husband thinks it's a good idea for less security now."

Antonin frowned at them both. Voldemort shook his head, sitting back in his chair. "We all know I don't have any choice in anything now," he said, sighing heavily.

Bellatrix patted his knee, grinning up at him. "Love you," she murmured, kissing his cheek again. Voldemort didn't reply. He continued to glare at her, but Bellatrix always knew how much he loved her because his soul was always with her. She smiled at him, brushing hair from his eyes. "Needs a chop."

He finally smiled back at her. "You really like my new hair, don't you?" he asked.

"You're so much sexier," she responded softly. "It makes you looked more relaxed."

Voldemort chuckled. "That's funny, because I am in fact now less relaxed."

Bellatrix grinned at him. "I'll sort you out later, my love," she responded, knowing it had probably been a week since they'd last had sex.

Voldemort looked down the table, seeing it was now full. He cleared his throat. Bellatrix looked down, noticing Draco was back from his honeymoon and that he looked tanned. And slightly nervous, but then this was his first monthly meeting since being promoted to the inner circle on his wedding day. "I suppose the first point of the meeting should be to welcome our newest member, Draco Malfoy," Voldemort said warmly, gesturing down the table. There was some polite applause. "How was the honeymoon?" Voldemort continued in a light tone, smirking pointedly. Everyone laughed, but Draco held himself together in a very Malfoy fashion.

"It was quite satisfactory, Uncle, thank you," Draco responded, smirking back. "My bride and I are thankful for all of the gifts we have received."

"I am pleased to hear it," Voldemort responded. "Speak to my assistant to arrange a meeting this week. We must discuss your new role." Draco nodded, sitting back in his seat slightly. "Maelor, your report please."

Maelor nodded, picking up his vast stack of paperwork. "The Department of Magical Law Enforcement are reporting a decrease in arrests for anti-establishment crimes," he said, ticking a box on his paperwork. "The Auror office are reporting a one percent increase in Auror applications since the last quarter and they are finding that these applications are from a more diverse sector of the population than they were previously."

He turned his page over. "Undesirable Number One has been captured and destroyed, as I am sure everyone here is aware of," he continued. Bellatrix bit her lip. Undesirable Number One had until recently been Hermione Granger, who had survived alone after all this time. She'd been the one to confirm that the body they had was Granger, due to the scars on her arm that Bellatrix had placed there. "It is understood that she was not a member of the Order of the Phoenix but was the driving force behind Potter."

"Mudblood scum," Bellatrix heard someone mutter.

Maelor was onto the next page of his report. "The Improper Use of Magic Office has reported two instances where magic has been used in front of muggles. The Muggleborn Registration Office now has a registry of over ten thousand muggleborn witches and wizards that reside in this country." Maelor placed his paper onto the table quietly, looking around him. "They have asked if they should continue, or if enough has been done."

Bellatrix glanced at Voldemort. "There is no need to continue."

"No," he replied, his voice quiet. "The laws we have in place will stop any more muggleborns from being allowed entry into our society through Hogwarts, as well as any half or pure blood from breeding with muggles. Our magical blood can be diluted no further."

There was applause around the table, but Voldemort still didn't look very happy.

"There is something else, my Lord," Maelor said, shifting uncomfortably. Bellatrix knew it was something awkward because the inner circle were generally quite informal nowadays. "There have been… complaints… in and out of the Ministry."

"About what, Maelor, spit it out," Voldemort snapped. Bellatrix pressed her hand against his thigh.

"The half bloods think that they are underrepresented," Maelor said in a hurry.

A flicker of amusement crossed Voldemort's face and he sat back in his seat. "Do they now," he said, his tongue toying with his teeth. He glanced to Bellatrix. Her eyes widened as she realised what he was thinking. "Set up a press conference for later today. I have an announcement to make."

There was silence around the table. Their Press Officer, Marcus Gibbon, cleared his throat. "What should I tell them to expect?" he asked.

"Don't tell them a thing," Voldemort replied, leaning forwards and looking around the room. "You can all go, we'll leave it there for today. Come and see me if you have anything that can't wait for next month." He stood, abruptly, and left the room. Bellatrix felt sick. She looked at Antonin and Maelor, beckoning for them to come with her, before following him out of the room and into the lift. Maelor and Antonin were just behind her, reaching the lift just before the doors shut.

"You can't be fucking serious, Tom," Bellatrix snapped, her head spinning.

"I am deadly serious," he snapped back, pushing past the others to leave the lift. He opened the door to the main part of the office and poured himself a large drink and gulping it down.

Bellatrix poured herself one, glaring at him as she did. "What about Salazar?"

Voldemort shook his head. "Doesn't matter."

"This is his future," Bellatrix shouted at him. "If we fail, you will have left him ruined."

"His future is ruined if we fail anyway, regardless of his blood," Voldemort told her, his voice cold.

"What is going on?" Maelor asked, glaring at them both.

Voldemort turned back to the drinks cabinet, ignoring Maelor.

"Come on, Tom, tell him," Bellatrix snarled. "Although I am certain they can guess."

Voldemort turned around, fresh drink in hand. He looked at Bellatrix for a moment, before looking at the others. "I am a half blood. They cannot claim they are underrepresented when their leader is what they are. I have waited too long to tell the world." He looked back to Bellatrix. "I am not ashamed of what I am any more, Bella." He approached her, taking her hands and kissing them both. "You accepted the truth without judgement."

"But I love you," she told him, feeling her voice tremble. "I will always accept anything you tell me about yourself."

Voldemort smiled, brushing his fingers down her cheeks. "I have to do this. You and I are a symbol of unity of different blood. We need unity now." He pulled away, looking to Maelor. "I can trust you to deal with this?" he asked.

"You can trust me with anything," Maelor responded, nodding. "I'm surprised it's remained a secret until now."

"There are plenty of secrets that I intend on keeping," Voldemort responded. He glanced back to Bellatrix, placing his hand on his chest. Bellatrix did the same, smiling slightly back. They'd decided that was the location of the parts of each of their souls. She could feel the fear that he was feeling through their bond, and her anger subsided. She had only felt his fear once, and that was when Salazar had been born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck.

Antonin moved towards Bellatrix, looking at her through narrowed eyes. He had seen them do this before, but had never asked what it meant. Bellatrix was never going to tell him, either. "You'd better change for the conference. You can't appear in the newspaper dressed like that." He eyed her pink robes in dislike.

Bellatrix smirked at him. "What's wrong with them?"

He rolled his eyes. "You're supposed to be the Dark Lady," he hissed, glaring again.

"No need to be bitchy. Maelor isn't bitchy, Antonin, and he's just as gay as you," Bellatrix snapped back, turning and heading into the bedroom in the hope that there were some other robes in there. Antonin did have a point.

Antonin followed her. "He's not as gay as me," he retorted, folding him arms.

Bellatrix looked back at him, pulling a face. "I don't need to know what you mean by that," she said, thankful to find a set of dark red velvet robes. She turned and showed them to Antonin. "Do these meet your approval?"

"A bit wintery, but they'll do," he said, before turning and leaving the room.

Bellatrix sighed. Very occasionally, Antonin would turn into a very camp man. And she found that during those occasions, it was usually her he turned camp for. She pulled on the robes, looking at herself in the mirror. Then she applied her red lipstick and tidied her hair, finally stepping into some higher heels and leaving the room.

Someone had brought lunch up, and now the three of them were sat at the table. Bellatrix sat down next to Voldemort, sipping her drink. There was a crackle at the fireplace, and Maelor sighed, getting up and putting his head into the now green fire. He withdrew a short moment later. "Conference will be in an hour," he said, coming back over. "It's not too late to come up with a difference announcement," he continued as he sat down. "I've got a couple on standby for occasions just like this."

Voldemort laughed softly. "No, thank you."

Bellatrix glanced at the food on the table, before deciding she wasn't hungry. She looked at Voldemort. He looked back at her with a small smile. "Everything will be fine," he murmured, squeezing her hand. Bellatrix wasn't so convinced.

x-x

The conference room was filled with reporters and photographers, and they were about to make the biggest announcement of their short leadership. Standing behind the curtain, Bellatrix looked up at Voldemort. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Voldemort responded, his voice tight, which told Bellatrix that he wasn't sure. There was an explosion of light as they stepped out onto the podium and as every camera flash went off. Voldemort moved to the stand, and Bellatrix stood slightly to his right. She tried to keep her face calm, but she really just wanted to scream. She could see the room was filled with Aurors, but that didn't help ease her fears.

"Thank you for coming at such short notice," Voldemort said, smiling his usual charming smile to the cameras and journalists. "My announcement today will come as a shock to many people," he said, looking out over the sea of cameras. "It has been brought to my attention, by those supporting me at the Ministry, that there is a divide between those with different blood status's around the country."

There were many more flashes at this news.

"There have been calls for a more diverse leadership of this country. Specifically," he continued, stepping forwards slightly. "Specifically from those who do not come from a family with pure blood. Specifically from those who are half muggle, or half muggle born." He glanced to Bellatrix for a moment, and she could feel his anxiety. She nodded to him, glad she could show how united they were to the entire world. "These people believe themselves to be underrepresented at the Ministry. I am here today to tell those people that they are wrong."

He sidestepped the stand, moving to the front of the stage. "My mother – as you know – was the heir of Slytherin. Her blood was as pure as a Malfoy's or a Black's." Bellatrix inhaled through her nose; anxious that she was going to faint if she forgot to breathe. "And my father was a muggle."

The flashing of the cameras was like a lightening storm, so bright that Bellatrix felt dazzled and found she couldn't see very well. The reporters were shouting, so loudly that Bellatrix didn't have a clue what they were saying. Voldemort took her hand, leading her forwards. He smiled at her, and Bellatrix smiled back, knowing she needed to hold herself together.

"Bellatrix and I are an example of unity between blood," he called out. "We hope that our son will prompt you all to remember that we must be united, whether blood is pure or not." He paused, looking around the room, before speaking for a final time. "Magic is might!"

"Magic is might," Bellatrix echoed, as did the Aurors and some of the journalists in the room. She smiled as he put his arm around her and drew her close. Bellatrix tilted her head and kissed him on the cheek, smiling at the cameras. He had such a way with words, with that charming demeanour of his, she was certain that it would be enough.

Then, with a final wave, they turned and left the conference room. "That was brilliant," Maelor said, approaching them quickly. He lowered his voice. "There are a few of shocked people back here," he murmured. "My Lord, perhaps you should retire for the evening now."

Voldemort glanced over at his wife, and a smirk appeared on his face. "It's three o clock, Maelor," he said slowly. "Are you telling me I should go home at three o clock on a Tuesday?"

Maelor frowned. "My Lord?" he asked, shaking his head.

"You've made my day," Voldemort continued, smirking. He looked to Bellatrix. "Come on, wifey. Let's get you out of these robes to celebrate."

Bellatrix sniggered, allowing him to lead her away so that they could head back to their office. Inside the lift, he shoved her against the wall, kissing her hard whilst working the buttons on the back of her robes. "Tommy!" she said, protesting.

He pulled back, his eyes half glaring. "Pardon? I haven't forgotten that you told me you would do whatever I wanted tonight."

Bellatrix laughed as he pulled her out of the lift and into their office. He finally unbuttoned the robes, throwing them onto the sofa. Seeing she was wearing his favourite black corset, he groaned lightly, removing his own robe before dragging her into the bedroom and slamming the door shut. "But you have forgotten you have to prove you're my master," she said, running her hands over his taunt stomach. "It's not free any more, Tom," she continued, putting her hand into his underpants.

He grabbed her wrist, removing her hand. "Neither is that, then," he said, raising his eyebrows and smirking. Bellatrix moaned softly at the expression on his face, reaching up and kissing him. She hooked her feet under his, giving her leverage to push him backwards onto the bed and sit on his chest, leaning forwards to continue kissing him. "Sneaky move, wifey," he said, smiling affectionately at her.

Bellatrix moved off of him, lying down beside him. "Tom," she said, looking over at him. "Seriously for a minute."

His smile died slightly and he tilted his head to look at her. "What is it?"

She reached forwards, running her fingers down his face. "What you did just then was… Amazing."

Voldemort smiled at her. "I'd do anything for you, to keep you safe."

"And you think it will keep us safe?" Bellatrix asked, frowning.

His warm hand ran down her abdomen. "I hope it will." Bellatrix smiled back, leaning closer and smelling his neck. "Shall we go home and see our baby?"

Bellatrix smirked. "I thought you were going to make me do whatever you wanted?"

"Yes, and I want to see my boy," he responded, sitting up and smirking over his shoulder at her. Bellatrix sat up, running her fingers through his hair and kissing him.

"So do I," Bellatrix replied, putting her arms around his body and resting her head on his shoulder. "I love you, Tom." Voldemort turned and kissed her cheek. He didn't reply, but then he didn't need to.

Bellatrix could feel his feelings for herself now.

x-x

So this chapter is ridiculously long, I'm pretty sure you can see why it took so long now!

Has anyone read Cursed Child yet? I haven't, but I've just done some reading up about it and I have to say, I'm thrilled! I don't want to spoil it for those who are going to read the script so I won't say anymore.