Two Years Later
Bellatrix looked up at the clock and groaned. She should have picked Salazar up from the Malfoy's by now. "Antonin," she called. Her friend entered the room. "We're late."
Antonin looked at the time too. "So we are," he replied, heading over to her and grabbing her hand so that he could pull her up. Bellatrix sighed, stepping around her desk whilst rubbing her eight-month pregnant stomach. "I think you should give up work now," Antonin said after a moment of looking at her. "You spend too much time here."
"You sound like Tom," Bellatrix said, rolling her eyes. "He's out of the country, you don't have to stress."
"I think you'll find that makes me more stressed," Antonin replied as they left the office. "Without the Dark Lord here, there is no one to tell you what to do."
"You do enough telling," Bellatrix snapped as they reached the lift. "I'm pregnant, not dying."
"Heavily pregnant," Antonin corrected her as the whizzed downwards. "And if I remember correctly, Salazar had been born at this stage."
"He was a big baby," Bellatrix replied, smirking at Antonin. "Tall, like his Father. He was ready to come. This one is a girl, I'm certain. Look how little my bump is compared."
She could see Antonin rolling his eyes at her now. "I don't compare bumps, Bellatrix," he responded as they stepped out of the lift and into the now almost silent Atrium. Maelor was coming towards them.
"It's definitely a girl," he said, kissing Antonin briefly before turning to examine her properly. Antonin groaned loudly. Maelor glared at him. "Can't you just be nice?"
"This is me being nice," Antonin replied, scowling at his boyfriend.
Maelor turned back to look at Bellatrix. "When is the Dark Lord going to be back?"
"Not until the weekend," she replied. "The French are taking a while to come around to our way of thinking." She glanced at Antonin. "Right, I'm going to go and get Salazar then go home. Take the night off."
"I'll escort you," Antonin said with a nod.
"Don't be ridiculous," she replied, patting him on the shoulder. "I'm much better at duelling than you, plus I'll be going into two of the most heavily warded houses in the country." Antonin opened his mouth to protest, before shutting it again. She had a point. Maelor laughed, putting his arm around his boyfriend. "Take tomorrow off as well," she continued. "Make sure he does, Maelor!"
Antonin was glaring at her as she stepped into the fireplace. She couldn't help but laugh. He was just as protective as her husband. She emerged into the parlour of the Malfoy manor, before stepping out of the fireplace and heading up to the sitting room, rubbing her stomach as she felt the baby moving. It was such a lovely feeling.
As she walked into the sitting room, she could hear Salazar laughing. She smirking as she saw Draco holding him up on his shoulders.
"What are you doing to my child?" she asked, looking around. Lucius, Narcissa and Astoria, also heavily pregnant, were sitting down, watching Draco.
Immediately, Draco pulled Salazar down and looked towards his Aunt. Salazar started to cry. "Who is that?" Draco asked, pointing towards Bellatrix.
Salazar's cries turned into a smile when he noticed his Mother and he put his arms out to her. Bellatrix moved towards him and hugged him tightly. "Have you been a good boy?" Bellatrix asked, glancing to Narcissa and Astoria who she knew would have been looking after him all day. Salazar was nodding but Bellatrix knew better. He was two, and like all two year olds he had at least ten tantrums a day.
"He's been very good," Narcissa responded, smirking.
Bellatrix knew what that meant, too. It meant Salazar had asked for whatever he wanted and Narcissa had given it, resulting in a happy toddler. She set him on the ground to play with whatever his newest toy was and sat down next to Astoria, sighing lightly.
"You should be resting at this stage," Narcissa said, eying her reproachfully. "Astoria does not even consider leaving the house."
"She doesn't have a country to run," Bellatrix replied, rolling her eyes, looking back to her niece and smirking. "Anyway, she probably doesn't want to listen to her mother-in-law telling her off if she does anything but."
Lucius snorted lightly, trying to hide his smile.
"I'm exhausted," Astoria said, cutting off the argument smoothly. "Honestly, I don't know how you do it all, with a two year old on top of it all."
Bellatrix laughed lightly. "It's funny what many years of inactivity does to someone," she said, rubbing her stomach. The baby really was very active tonight. "I feel like if I stop, it'll all disappear."
"And where will it all go?" Lucius asked, his voice cold as usual.
Bellatrix shot him a dirty look. "No where near you," she snapped.
"Will you stay here tonight?" Narcissa asked, ignoring her comment aimed at her husband. "I don't think you should be in that house by yourself. The Dark Lord should not have left you."
Bellatrix laughed. "Tom is less than helpful during childbirth," she replied, remembering how he just panicked over everything when Salazar was born.
"Even so," Narcissa responded. "And if something happens, what will you do with Salazar?"
"Fine," Bellatrix said, knowing when she was defeated. "But someone had better tell Antonin."
"I'll get some things from the nursery for you," Astoria said, standing with a fair amount of difficulty. Draco helped her up, smirking at her. Narcissa followed her out of the room. Bellatrix scooped Salazar up, seeing he was looking a little tired now.
"Mama," he said, tugging at her hair. Bellatrix smiled at him and kissed him. She imagined that he looked just like Tom must have when he was this age, dark curly hair, alabaster skin and those huge, bright blue eyes staring at her happily. She hoped that Salazar was having a better childhood than Tom ever had. Then he got bored of her, whimpering slightly as he tried to reach his toy snake on the floor. Bellatrix was about to put him down when the toy snake soared into Salazar's outstretched hand.
She looked up at Draco and Lucius with a frown. "Did you do that?" she asked.
Even Lucius looked impressed as they both shook their heads. Bellatrix looked back to Salazar who was happily waving the snake around in the air. "Takes after his Daddy," she murmured, smiling at him.
Salazar stopped and looked up at her. "Dada?" he asked, frowning slightly.
"He'll be back in a couple of days," Bellatrix replied, smoothing down Salazar's curls. Salazar looked disappointed for a moment, before going back to his snake. He started to make hissing sounds.
Narcissa came back into the room. "Bedroom is all sorted, Bellatrix."
"Thank you," Bellatrix said, standing up. "I think we'll retire."
Narcissa kissed Salazar on the forehead. "Night night, Salazar."
"Night night, 'Untie 'Ciss," Salazar replied, his voice slightly lispy. Bellatrix grinned as they walked up to one of the spare rooms together. Astoria was just coming out.
"I've put a cot and some pyjamas for him out," she said softly.
Bellatrix smiled. "Come and help if you want," she said. Astoria followed her into the room and shut the door. "So is my sister behaving?" Bellatrix asked, sitting Salazar down on the floor. "I imagine you wish she was still at Hogwarts."
Astoria smiled knowingly back at Bellatrix. "Better than my mother," she responded, sitting down heavily on the bed and rubbing her bump. "I can't believe this baby is only three weeks away for being born."
Bellatrix snorted. "I said that about Salazar," she replied. "But he had other ideas."
"Does your baby move around a lot?" Astoria asked. "This one does. It's like being beaten up, actually."
"Won't stay still," Bellatrix replied. "Are you going to try and have yours at home?"
"Yes," Astoria responding, nodding. "Actually, Narcissa has the same midwife that she used on standby to come here." Bellatrix smirked. The Malfoy's were such traditionalists. "How do you cope with your husband away?"
Bellatrix shrugged slightly. "We're used to it. Don't forget we spent fourteen years apart." She picked Salazar up and starting to change him into his pyjamas. He looked very tired.
"Your relationship is very admirable," Astoria said, her voice quiet.
Bellatrix laughed, looking up at her. "Well, it hasn't always been."
"He's such a good father," Astoria replied, smiling slightly.
"Is something worrying you?" Bellatrix asked after a moment. Astoria didn't usually behave like this. "Is it Draco?" Bellatrix knew that Draco still suffered because of her husband's treatment of him. He still had scars from the night he failed to kill Dumbledore.
Astoria shrugged slightly. "Kind of."
"He'll be a brilliant father," Bellatrix said, shifting closer to Astoria and putting her arm around him.
"I know," Astoria responded, rubbing her bump again. "I just don't think he's ready for this."
"He definitely is," Bellatrix replied, yet again feeling guilty she hadn't done more. "He's stronger than you think. What he endured… Made him strong. And now look at him, my husband would be lost without him at the Ministry."
"Really?" Astoria asked, frowning slightly.
"Yes," Bellatrix said, her voice firm. "Very much so. He is a Malfoy and we need the Malfoy's as much as you need us."
"I worry about losing him," Astoria said quietly. "I nearly did once before… He broke up with me, at school, because he didn't want me to be hurt."
"Those times are over now," Bellatrix replied. "Believe me, they are. Tom will not return to the way he was. Our enemies are dead."
"I know," Astoria said. "It's silly."
"There's nothing silly about worrying," Bellatrix said, scooping Salazar up to change his clothes. "It's not like you can help it. Are Narcissa and Lucius still at each others throats?"
"Not so much," Astoria responded. "Lucius hardly speaks and drinks and smokes a lot." Bellatrix nodded. She knew that much. "He goes out drinking and…" she lowered her voice. "I think he must be having an affair, but Narcissa doesn't seem to mind."
Bellatrix smirked. She didn't think Lucius would be stupid enough to have an affair but she didn't like to say that to his daughter-in-law. "Well, it's probably for the best. Maybe a baby in the house will change that, though."
Astoria nodded. "Perhaps," she said, standing up. "Goodnight, Bellatrix," she said, leaning over and kissing Salazar. "Night, Salazar."
"Night night, 'Stori," Salazar replied, fiddling with the rug as Astoria shut the door behind her.
Bellatrix snorted. Salazar seemed to be struggling with a's. She scooped him up, laying him on the bed next to her. "A-stori-a," she said slowly to him.
He frowned at her, reaching out for her locket to look at. "Stori," he replied, as if he was saying exactly what she was.
"That'll do," Bellatrix said, sighing lightly but kissing him anyway. It was difficult to be too irritated with him when he was that cute. "Sleepy time, then." Salazar looked like he wanted to disagree, but his eyes were drooping. Bellatrix smiled, picking him up and putting him into the cot. She pulled the blanket over him, smoothing his dark hair back from his face. The baby inside of her kicked. She dimmed the lights and got into bed, thinking about how it was only two more days until she would be able to see Tom again. That was a very exciting prospect.
x-x
Bellatrix awoke in the night, unsure about where she was to start with. She sat up, worrying about where Salazar was before noticing him in the cot that stood by her bed. She relaxed for a moment, before a pain hit her abdomen and left her panting. It was gone quickly. She realised it was a contraction. "Fuck," she mumbled, pushing her hair from her head. Then she realised she was soaking wet with sweat and realised how ill she felt.
She tried to get out of bed, but found that she couldn't. Her limbs didn't seem to want to move. Groaning, she managed to press a finger onto her dark mark and summon the first person she could think of – and that was Lucius. She knew it was pointless summoning Tom. He was too far away and less than helpful in a panic. She needed Narcissa.
The door opened and Lucius was in the doorway. "What is it, Bellatrix?" he asked, his voice cold. Bellatrix rolled over to look at him.
"Narcissa," she managed to tell him, feeling exhausted by these actions already.
She heard Lucius curse before seeing him leave the room. She lay back on the bed, trying to make sure that Salazar was asleep still but failing. The room was spinning and she was pretty sure she was going to faint. She heard the door open and Narcissa's cool hands on her forehead. She could hear her saying something to Lucius, and then she knew no more.
x-x
Bellatrix woke up, realising instantly she was in a white clinical room. She tried to sit up, looking around the room.
"Don't move," a feminine voice said, and Bellatrix felt cool hands helping her to lie back down. "You're in St Mungo's, my Lady," the woman said, and Bellatrix realised she was a young lady in a nurses uniform. "The Dark Lord is on his way." Bellatrix nodded, feeling a contraction coming on. She inhaled sharply, and the nurse immediately took her hand.
"Is the baby alright?" she asked after a moment, feeling it kick.
"Perfectly fine," the nurse replied, handing Bellatrix some water. "Mrs Malfoy informed us that you awoke with a cold sweat, and you do have a slight temperature. Labour does make most ladies very hot though," she added, smiling slightly. She seemed a bit nervous, but Bellatrix couldn't blame her too much for that.
"Where is my sister?" she asked, frowning. She hoped Narcissa had Salazar.
"With your son, at her home," the nurse replied.
"That's good," Bellatrix mumbled, feeling relieved. The nurse straightened out her bedsheets and Bellatrix noticed her wand on the stand next to the bed. Narcissa knew better than to leave her without a wand. "Are you newly qualified?" she asked after a moment.
"Yes, my Lady," she responded, smiling slightly. "We've been busy tonight and I was the only nurse left without a patient."
"I'm not complaining," Bellatrix said, smiling back. "The nurse I had when Salazar was born was newly qualified, and she was brilliant. I am sure you will be the same."
There was a loud bang outside of the room. She picked up her wand from the stand next to her, sitting up slightly. The nurse was staring at her, but she couldn't take chances, especially without Antonin around. The door to the room opened very suddenly, and Bellatrix realised it was her husband – his eyes blazing red – surrounded by a couple of Death Eaters and medical staff. Bellatrix was relieved.
He moved towards her, those around him falling back slightly. Bellatrix felt the usual tingle of excitement flood through her; she could feel his anger and fear through their connection. For a moment, Bellatrix was frightened of the expression on his face but then he knelt on the bed next to her, taking her hand in his and kissing it very firmly. "I should never have left you alone," he murmured, kissing her hand again, before looking her up and down to make sure she wasn't damaged. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she assured him, squeezing his hand. "I'm in early labour."
He must have hardly heard her, because he was suddenly back on his feet, rounding on the staff. "Why was my wife brought here?" he snarled. "I gave specific instructions – she was not to be brought here." He paused for a moment, turning to look at her as if he'd realised something. "Where is Dolohov?" he asked her, his voice cold. "And Zabini?"
"Blaise is away," Bellatrix reminded him, feeling another contraction coming on. "I let Antonin have a night off." She inhaled through her nose, breathing heavily. She didn't want all of these people to see her in pain. Voldemort shot her a cold look, before turning back to the others.
"Now," he hissed, approaching them. "Will someone answer me? Why was the Dark Lady brought here and why-" He turned to the two Death Eaters. "Did it take so long for me to be summoned?"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Tom, please."
He held up his hand over his shoulder, not looking back at her.
"T-the Malfoy's brought her h-here, my Lord," one of the Death Eaters stuttered.
"Where is her midwife?" Voldemort snarled. Bellatrix rolled her eyes again. This really wasn't what she needed right now. She relaxed as she felt the contraction ebbing away, but labour wasn't exactly comfortable.
"She is on her way, my Lord," one of the staff said.
"What is taking her so long?" Voldemort snapped back.
"Tom!" Bellatrix snapped, her wand sparking slightly.
He turned back to look at her, glaring slightly. "What?"
Bellatrix looked towards the staff, who were opening gawping at her. People still weren't used to the idea of the Dark Lord having an actual human name. "Perhaps we might have some privacy," she said, her voice cold. There was some scraping and shuffling as they left. Bellatrix noticed the nurse lingering by her slightly, looking concerned. She smiled at her. "Go on, he's nice to me," she murmured, beckoning to the door. The nurse walked towards the door, stopping very briefly to curtsey to Voldemort. Then the door was shut and they were alone.
"You don't need to behave like this," Bellatrix told him, her voice soft. "I know why I am here, our midwife is delivering another child and I do not need security."
Voldemort scowled at her. "You and my baby are more important than another child."
Bellatrix pointed her wand at him. "Keep talking, I dare you," she snarled. Then another contraction started and she dropped her wand, panting slightly. He was instantly at her side, rubbing her back and kissing her hair.
"I'm sorry, my love," he murmured. Bellatrix made a quiet noise of pain, screwing her face up. "You know how much I worry about you. I can't help it, you're my perfect wife."
The pain lessened and Bellatrix relaxed into his touch. "Sit next to me," she murmured. Voldemort sat down on the bed, putting his arm around her. She nestled her head into his shoulder.
"You feel hot," he said, resting his hand against her forehead.
Bellatrix sighed lightly, his cold hand on her forehead felt heavenly. "I've got a bit of a high temperature."
He stiffened slightly. "What does that mean?"
"I probably have a bit of an infection," she replied. "It's nothing to worry about."
"Well, I am worried," Voldemort told her.
Bellatrix patted his hand. "You're forgetting I can't die, Tom."
"Our-" he began, but cut himself off. She knew what he was going to say though, and she didn't like it. "Of course I am worried, Bella," he repeated.
"You're thinking about the miscarriage," Bellatrix murmured after a while. "Last year."
Voldemort didn't reply.
"I was only eight weeks when that happened," she said quietly. "This baby is perfectly healthy, so healthy that he or she is on the way out right now."
He squeezed her tightly. "You've suffered enough," he said, kissing her hair again. "I won't allow you to suffer anymore."
Bellatrix shook her head. "It's part of life, Tom. You can't protect me from everything."
"I'll always try," he said. Bellatrix tensed as another contraction started, sitting up. He started rubbing her back again, and Bellatrix was grateful he remembered what had helped during the birth of Salazar.
"Tell me about France," Bellatrix mumbled, breathing heavily. She was trying not to scream.
"They are very French," Voldemort said, sighing heavily. "They are all snooty about my blood status."
Bellatrix snorted slightly. "Did you remind them why your blood status doesn't matter?"
"Well, I tried not to," Voldemort said, kissing her lightly. "I could have done with you there, to be honest. At least you could have flirted with their Minister, or something."
"Whilst resembling some sort of whale?" Bellatrix asked, feeling the contraction ebb away.
"You do not resemble a whale," Voldemort told her, shaking his head. "You are still the most beautiful woman in this country."
"What happened?"
"They refused to make any alliance," Voldemort responded lightly. "They don't have the sort of muggle issues we do. They don't allow it, and never have done. So, they don't need an alliance with the United Kingdom."
Bellatrix shrugged. "It doesn't matter."
"I know," he said, his voice soft. "I should be grateful for what we have here. Has anything much happened?"
"There was some business with Dolores Umbridge, claiming she should be Headmistress of Hogwarts," Bellatrix said. "Somehow it ended up being my problem."
"What did you do?"
Bellatrix turned to look at him and smiled. "Sent her to Azkaban. She is a horrific woman."
Voldemort laughed loudly. "You can't keep sending people to Azkaban without real grounds."
"I have real grounds," Bellatrix replied levelly. "Draco was telling me about what she did to students last time she was Headmistress."
"Ah," Voldemort said knowingly. "Well, we don't want that to happen again."
"Nope," Bellatrix replied, squeezing his hand tightly as another contraction started. "Merlin, they are getting faster."
"I'll go and find the midwife," Voldemort said, trying to loosen her grip.
"You'll do no such thing," Bellatrix hissed at him, holding onto him even tighter. "Stop being such a girl." She pulled him into her. "I am the one having a baby right now, and what I need is to break the hand of the twat that did this to me."
"I'll rub your back," Voldemort offered quickly, moving his free hand around her and rubbing up and down.
"Good idea," Bellatrix replied through clenched teeth. "You're learning."
Voldemort sighed lightly. "I'm only trying to help."
"You are helping," Bellatrix responded, feeling the pain ebbing away. "This is what I need from you." The door burst open and Bellatrix was pleased to see the midwife, Briget, coming in, followed by the nurse.
"Not quite gone to plan this time," the older witch said, setting her bag down. "I came as soon as the other baby was born."
"You should have come sooner," Voldemort said coldly.
Bellatrix glared at him. "Tom!" she snapped. She looked back to Briget. "Ignore him. He's a stupid man."
Briget smirked, eying Voldemort through narrowed lids. "I ignore all men," she said, grinning at Bellatrix.
"I'd forgotten how much you irritated me when our son was born," Voldemort said, his voice sharp.
"Ah, how is Salazar?" Briget asked, unpacking her bag. "He must be two by now?"
"He's a normal spoilt two year old," Bellatrix replied, smirking. The nurse came forwards.
"May I take your temperature again, my Lady?" she asked. Bellatrix nodded. The nurse pressed her wand against Bellatrix's arm, glancing up to Voldemort for a split second. She probably hadn't met him before and was slightly overwhelmed. "Thirty seven point two," she announced, stepping away.
"All this fuss for a temperature of thirty seven point two?" Briget said, sighing loudly. "She's having a baby, of course she's going to get hot!"
"It was thirty eight upon admission," the nurse responded softly.
"My sister said I was sweating cold," Bellatrix said. "I felt awful, but I don't feel too bad now."
"Have your waters broken?"
Bellatrix shook her head.
"Good," the midwife said. She stepped forwards, waving her wand. "Yes, you're only three centimetres dilated. I think I'll go and have a cup of tea and leave you to it." She smirked up at Voldemort, beckoning with one long finger for the nurse to follow her from the room.
Voldemort scowled. "I hate that woman."
"You only hate her because she isn't afraid of you," Bellatrix said, shaking her head whilst trying not to laugh.
"She should be," Voldemort said reproachfully. "I'm very scary."
"Well, she's very good. Exactly what I need." She smiled as Voldemort put his arm back around her and kissed her.
"Shall we go home?" he asked after a moment of holding her tightly to him.
Bellatrix sighed lightly. "No, better to stay here." She whimpered as another contraction started, pressing into him. As the pain ebbed away, she relaxed back. It was actually rather nice just sitting in his arms, with nothing to do but wait. She smiled, leaning into his shoulder and shutting her eyes. She'd missed him.
x-x
A few hours later, Bellatrix was exhausted, but they had another baby. This time it was a girl, and Bellatrix was very happy about that. Briget was just weighing her and checking her over, and Voldemort was muttering all sorts of cleaning spells in an attempt to make Bellatrix feel more comfortable. It was very sweet.
"What shall we call her?" Voldemort asked her, sitting down on the bed.
"You decide," Bellatrix replied, smiling at him as he stroked her hair.
"Are you sure?" he asked, frowning slightly.
"We agreed I would decide if it was a boy," Bellatrix told him, squeezing his hand.
"Alright." He looked up as Briget brought the baby over and put her into Bellatrix's arms. "When can we leave?" he asked her.
"When your wife is ready," Briget replied, smiling slightly. "The baby is perfectly healthy and Bellatrix's temperate is normal now too."
Bellatrix could see Voldemort scowling slightly at the midwife's familiarity, but she didn't mind. She still wasn't used to the title.
"Thank you, Briget," Bellatrix said, smiling at the midwife.
"You're welcome," Briget replied, looking down at the baby. "I hope I'll be retired before you have any more. Your husband is responsible for many of my grey hairs." Bellatrix laughed. She really wanted to say that he was responsible for a lot of hers, as well, but she thought he might not appreciate it.
Voldemort just ignored the midwife, picking up the baby from Bellatrix's arms. Briget quietly left the room, leaving them alone. Bellatrix could see he was completely in love with his daughter already. "Part of me hoped she would be ugly," he said after a moment. "Part of me is disappointed that she is this beautiful."
Bellatrix laughed. "She wasn't going to be anything but," she told him, getting out of bed and pulling on the dress that was waiting for her on the dresser.
"Why are you doing that?" he asked her, frowning.
"I want to go home," she told him, crossing the room and kissing both of them. "Salazar will want to meet his sister."
"Of course." He took her hand in hers, and kissed it, before apparating them out of the hospital. "Narcissa is waiting for us," he said, entering the parlour. Bellatrix followed, smiling as she saw her son playing on the floor.
"Hello!" she said, smiling to her sister before picking her son up.
Narcissa looked relieved. "So soon!" she said, standing up to look at the baby.
"Salazar," Bellatrix said, moving over to where the new baby was. "This is your sister."
"Sister?" Salazar asked, pouting slightly. "Brother?"
Bellatrix smirked, knowing he'd wanted a brother. "Not a brother, a sister. The baby is a girl. You have to look after her now."
Salazar smiled, looking down at his sister and reaching out to touch her very briefly, before drawing back.
"What is she called?" Narcissa asked, looking up at them.
Voldemort smiled. "Her name is Merope Irma Gaunt."
x-x
Merope was a much better behaved baby than Salazar was. And she slept through the night, which was definitely a blessing. Now a month old, Bellatrix was happy to leave her with their highly skilled nanny. Whenever Bellatrix looked after both Salazar and Merope, there were always some jealous tears from Salazar or explosive nappies from Merope. When the nanny had both of them, both children behaved perfectly.
She headed to the Ministry and Antonin was waiting for her in the office with Blaise.
"Where is Tom?" she asked, sitting down.
"In a meeting with Auror Vaisey," Antonin replied, watching her carefully.
"He's meant to be taking me out for lunch," she said, pouring herself a cup of tea and blowing on it to cool it down. "What does Vaisey want?"
Antonin shrugged. "I'm not a politician."
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. Antonin took no interest in politics at all. "Well, lets take advantage of this time and pay a visit downstairs." She stood up, deciding she didn't really want her tea anyway. They headed to the lift. "How is the new Mrs Zabini?" she asked Blaise.
"Good, thank you," Blaise replied. "We've been married for a year now, you know."
Bellatrix frowned at him as the doors shut. "Wow, time flies," she said. She remembered that she'd had to spend the entire reception pretending she was drinking because she was only just pregnant and didn't want everyone to know yet. She seemed to remember Voldemort getting particularly drunk on that night because he had to drink all of her drinks as well.
"We are actually expecting a baby in a few months," Blaise continued.
"How lovely," Bellatrix responded with a smile. The doors of the lift opened and they stepped out into the main office. "Morning, everyone," she said, looking around. There were around ten desks in the busy room, each with a magical typewriter. It was here that their ideas were made into policy and legislation. She was just starting to feel comfortable and confident with making laws and understood the processes.
Bellatrix was immediately approached Yaxley's niece, Talisha. "Deputy Minister," she said, nodding. "The Minister asked for the figures from the Auror office, should I interrupt his meeting with Auror Vaisey?"
"Yes, tell him I sent you," Bellatrix replied, smiling slightly. Voldemort was still unpredictable, and if he was irritated at the distraction, Talisha would not be the first assistant hexed into St Mungos.
Talisha nodded and headed towards the lift. Bellatrix noticed Draco at the front of the room, bending over the desk of a very pretty newly qualified lawyer, a cousin of Posey's Bellatrix recalled, and making a study of what she'd written. She heard Blaise sniggering behind her and she guessed he'd noticed as well.
Bellatrix smirked, heading over. "Morning, Draco," she called.
Draco jumped, looking up at her guiltily. "Er… Morning, Auntie," he responded, moving away from the desk and kissing her on the cheek. "This is Miss Paris Parkinson," he said, gesturing to her slightly.
Bellatrix smirked again. "Yes, Draco, I was in the interview panel with you and the Secretary for Miss Parkinson's position," she said, nodding to Paris who smiled back. "How are Astoria and Scorpius?" she continued, smiling pointedly at Draco who moved them both away from the others slightly.
"Well, thank you," Draco responded hastily. "There's nothing going on."
"With whom?" Bellatrix asked, raising her eyebrows at him.
"Parkinson," Draco replied quietly.
"Didn't say there was," Bellatrix said, trying not to laugh. "You're acting very guiltily for someone with nothing to hide, Draco. Just don't forget you have a wife and new born baby at home." She moved slightly closer to him. "If you must engage in an affair, please be discrete. And make sure she is too. Your mother would kill you."
Bellatrix laughed slightly at the look of shock on his face, before moving on towards the office at the front of the room. She could hear Blaise behind her talking to Draco, and as she turned the handle of the door, she could see Antonin catching up with her, a slightly disgusted expression on his face.
"Why are Malfoy's obsessed with blondes?" he muttered into her ear.
"Why are you?" Bellatrix asked, laughing as they entered the office.
Maelor was sat in his chair with his feet resting on the desk. Antonin scowled at her, before crossing the room and kissing his boyfriend on the lips.
"I am not obsessed with blondes," he snapped at her as she shut the door. "I am obsessed with one blond."
"What are you talking about?" Maelor asked, taking his feet off the desk.
"Malfoy," Antonin responded, shaking his head.
"Oh, and Parkinson?" Maelor replied, nodding. "It's the talk of the office, he can't take his eyes off of her."
"Malfoy men are incapable of monogamy," Bellatrix said, with a sigh, sitting down in front of Maelor's desk. "His father was. And his grandfather was."
"Lucius had affairs?" Antonin asked, frowning.
"Not affairs exactly," Bellatrix replied. "But he slept with other women."
Maelor reached out and took Antonin's hand. "I promise I will never sleep with another woman," he said, grinning. Antonin rolled his eyes.
"You know Bellatrix would kill either of us if we did something like that," he replied.
Bellatrix laughed. "Yeh, I actually would as well."
"Has the Dark Lord ever cheated on you?" Maelor asked.
Bellatrix laughed again. "Tom knows I would hex his balls off if the thought even crossed his mind." She smiled. "I don't think he's ever considered it though."
"If that's what you do to cheaters than we will be very well behaved from now on," Maelor replied, grinning. "So did you actually want to talk about work?"
"No," Bellatrix replied indifferently, smirking. "You looked so busy when we walked in."
Maelor laughed slightly. "I'm sure your husband will bring me more work in a minute."
"He's going to be grumpy, you know what he thinks of Vaisey," Antonin said.
"If he hates him so much, why did he make him Head Auror?" Maelor asked, rolling his eyes.
"Because he's a really good Auror," Bellatrix replied. "Tom knows he needed the best to lead the department. We aren't safe yet."
Antonin frowned at her. "Do you still feel that way? It's been almost four years."
Bellatrix shrugged. "People aren't fighting us, they are still scared. But they aren't exactly singing in the streets either. Potter and Dumbledore will never be forgotten."
The door banged open and Voldemort entered the room. She was immediately hit with a feeling of anger, and she knew it was coming from their bond. "Why are you talking about Dumbledore?" he snapped, glaring at her.
"Just saying how much I miss him," Bellatrix said, standing up and kissing him with a smirk. He continued to glare. "You promised me lunch."
Voldemort rolled his eyes at her. "Busy."
Bellatrix smiled at him. "I'm sure you'll find time for the woman who pushed out a fairly large baby from a very small space, for you, only a month ago."
She heard Antonin make a noise of disgust and anguish, but she ignored him. Voldemort inhaled a deep breath, half glaring at her now. "Fine," he replied, but she could feel his dark mood lifting slightly.
"Did Talisha bring you the figures?"
"Yes," he responded.
"Were you nice to her?"
He glared at her again. "I'm the Dark Lord."
Bellatrix smirked. There was no come back to that one.
He moved around her and sat down at the desk. "Right, that jumped up little…" He trailed off, taking a deep sigh. They'd both agreed to stop swearing, because Salazar liked to copy every single word they both said. "Vaisey, said that they are going to need more funding if they want to take on any new recruits."
Stepped forwards, Bellatrix placed her hands on his shoulders, running her thumbs down his neck. He felt very tense. "Jumped up little...?" she asked him, through their Horcrux connection.
"Fucking arrogant shit," he responded, looking over his shoulder at her. Bellatrix smiled back, feeling his mood lift again. She had always known she was able to change his mood quite dramatically, but to actually feel it like this was amazing.
"It shouldn't be an issue," Maelor replied, shaking his head. "Is he expecting a large amount of new Auror's this quarter?"
"Applications are up again, apparently," Voldemort replied, scowling. "Especially female applicants. Vaisey is putting that down to his good looks and eligibility." Bellatrix, Maelor and Antonin all laughed at that. Vaisey was good looking, but he certainly knew it. "I personally do not see the appeal."
"You're the only straight male in the room though," Bellatrix replied, leaning down and kissing him on the top of his head.
He turned to face her again. "Do not tell me the three of you fancy him."
Bellatrix laughed, shaking her head. "I certainly don't. He's too smug."
"Good," he said, turning back to Maelor. "Can I leave this with you? Just work out what is realistic and see if he's happy with it." He paused. "And someone is going to have to explain to him why he can't sleep with the female recruits."
Maelor gulped, looking up to Bellatrix hopefully.
"I'll do it," Bellatrix replied, smirking. "Though if the little sluts want to sleep with him, that's down to them."
"It's not though, we can't have them all fighting over him," Voldemort told her quietly. "And don't use words like that."
"Salazar is fifty miles away, how is he going to hear me?"
Voldemort half glared at her. "Let's go home for lunch." He stood up, putting his arms around her. Bellatrix smiled up at him.
"You look very sexy today," she murmured. He smirked down at her before disapparating them from the office.
"Did you see the midwife this morning?" he asked, taking her hand as they walked up the stairs towards their rooms.
"I did," Bellatrix replied, smirking at him. She knew why he was asking. "I'm all healed and ready for action."
Voldemort laughed softly. "Perfect wife," he said, kissing the top of her head fondly. "I think we will need some Gaunt's only office time this afternoon."
"I think we will," Bellatrix said, smiling at him. They entered the sitting room and were instantly greeted by Salazar charging at them both.
"Dadddddyyyyyyyyy!" he cried in excitement, clinging to Voldemort's leg. Voldemort picked him up and kissed him.
Bellatrix smiled, looking at the nanny. "We will take over for lunch, Eleanor," she said. "Take a couple of hours off." Eleanor smiled and curtseyed.
"Thank you, my Lady," she replied. "The princess has just finished a bottle and is sleeping for now."
Bellatrix peered into the crib, smiling as she could see Merope sleeping peacefully. "Ahh, I don't know how you do it Eleanor, she screams for half an hour before she will sleep for me." Bellatrix looked up with a smile. Eleanor laughed, before slipping quietly out of the room so Salazar didn't notice her leave.
"Come to the dining room," she said to Tom, heading in. She could see Salazar had been doing some colouring. There was a picture of what she assumed was a snake on the table. She held it up for Salazar to see. "Who is this?" she asked.
"'Gini," Salazar replied.
"Na-Gin-I," Voldemort said, spelling the word out slowly. Salazar frowned slightly, before wiggling and sliding out of Voldemort's hold.
"He's half way there," Bellatrix said, grinning and sitting down. The table filled with sandwiches, crisps and three chocolate cupcakes. Sometimes bribery was the only way to get a toddler to eat properly. "Come and sit in your chair, Sal," she said. Salazar shook his head and sat on the floor.
Voldemort picked him up and sat him in the highchair, strapping him in tightly. He placed a sandwich on the plate and put it in front of Salazar, who shook his head again.
"No cake for Salazar then," Bellatrix said, watching as her husband sat down opposite them both.
Suddenly Salazar wanted his sandwich.
"Why does Vaisey get to you so much?" she asked Voldemort, picking up her crisps.
Voldemort looked up at her. "He reminds me of someone I went to school with. I wonder if they are related somehow. He was head boy when I was in my first year, he loved making fun of my blood status." He poured them both tea. "All the girls doted on him."
"I bet the girls at school loved you," Bellatrix said, wishing she had known him back then.
"Not to start with, because of my blood." He smirked. "But as we got older, blood mattered less. Especially because I was the top of every class, without any effort, and because I could get what I wanted so easily."
"Charm is your greatest weapon," Bellatrix replied, giving Salazar some crisps as well. "So, we think Draco might be having a work place affair."
Voldemort scowled slightly. He didn't like hearing about these kinds of things, but Bellatrix didn't give him a choice and so he at least pretended he was interested. "With whom?"
"Miss Parkinson," Bellatrix continued, sipping her tea.
Voldemort's expression changed slightly, and he suddenly looked more interested. "Paris?" he said.
Bellatrix's jaw dropped. "You fancy her, don't you!" she said, shaking her head at him.
"She's a good looking witch," he said defensively.
"I prefer talking about this stuff with my gay friends," she said, frowning and pouting at him. "At least they're on my side."
"Well, why don't you?" he replied. "You know this office gossip bores me." Seeing her glare, he smiled at her. "Bella. You're the most beautiful and intelligent woman I have ever met in my life. You're also my wife, I have never strayed from you and I promise that I never will, for the rest of eternity."
Bellatrix smiled at him. "I know, darling." She turned to Salazar, seeing he'd eaten most of his sandwich. "Want your cupcake?" she asked him. His face lit up and Bellatrix placed it in front of him. He started to lick the icing off.
"We will be happily fucking in our office by the time that sugar kicks in," Voldemort said through their connection.
Bellatrix smiled, looking up at him. "That's very bad parenting," she told him. "And it'll kick in way before then."
Voldemort picked up a cupcake, taking a bite. "Well, if you can't beat them then you should join them."
"I'm not sure sugar has the same effect on a seventy-something year old as it does on a two year old," Bellatrix told him.
"Merlin, Bella, don't say my age without warning me first," he said, sighing lightly.
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "You know your age is just a number. It doesn't represent you in any way."
Salazar started to kick in his chair, and Bellatrix looked over at him, seeing his face and hands were covered in chocolate. She sighed lightly, muttering a cleaning spell before releasing him from the chair. He started to run around the table, stopping when he reached Voldemort and jumping up and down. "Daddy, come and play with me!" he said. "And 'Gini!"
Bellatrix smirked. Salazar didn't get to see his Daddy that often and so he was always the favourite parent. She knew Voldemort struggled with being a father sometimes, probably because he never expected it to happen and because he'd never had a father either, but he was doing a great job. He was patient and loving, and that was enough for her. "What shall we play?" Voldemort asked, picking Salazar up and sitting him on his shoulders.
"Quidditch!" Salazar responded eagerly as they left the room.
"Quidditch?" Voldemort asked, the disgust clear in his voice. "Nagini can't play Quidditch…"
Bellatrix poured herself a cup of tea and sat back in her chair. It was lovely having some time alone. Two minutes later, she heard a loud thud and Salazar's cry, and then she heard the cry of the baby as well. With a sigh, she abandoned the tea and headed back to the sitting room to hopefully sooth the baby back to sleep.
x-x