Eleven Years Later

x-x

It was the twentieth anniversary of the victory and as promised, Voldemort had ensured a ball and national holiday on every year. It was becoming less about them and more about the next generation now. Many of their original supporters were gone now.

Their youngest son, Evan, had been complaining for at least five years that he never got to go to the annual celebration. They had decided that he could attend this year, since he was going to be starting Hogwarts in September.

Salazar entered the room and Bellatrix smiled. Now nineteen, he was a very handsome young man and she knew he must look just like Voldemort had. He was as tall as his father, with the same dark hair and bright blue eyes. He'd taken on the opposite wing of the house, which meant he could have more privacy. Bellatrix knew that now Merope had almost finished her education, she was going to want to do the same. She had a funny feeling Voldemort was not going to feel so sure about that.

"Evening, Mother," Salazar said, kissing her on the cheek. "You look very nice."

"So do you," Bellatrix replied, handing him a glass of champagne. "Have you got a date?"

Salazar smirked. "How could I turn up to the biggest party of the year without a date?" he asked her. "I left her in my room getting ready. She's taking ages."

"What's her name?"

"Mabel Nott. She was in my year, quite pretty." He took a sip of his champagne. "Not the… brightest, shall we say."

Bellatrix smirked. "I look forward to meeting her."

"Where's Dad?"

"He's getting changed," Bellatrix replied, just as Merope entered the room wearing the shortest dress Bellatrix had ever seen. She wore her hair long with curls cascading down her back, much like Bellatrix would have done. Her dress was silver and covered in sequins, and with high silver shoes she did look amazing. However, Voldemort was not going to agree.

Salazar laughed at the sight of her. "You've forgotten to put your skirt on, Merope!" he said, grinning.

Merope scowled at him. "Fuck off, Sal," she snapped, picking up a glass of the champagne.

"Merope!" Bellatrix hissed. "You wouldn't use language like that in front of your father."

"I would," Merope replied confidently.

Salazar picked up another glass of champagne. "Err, I better go and make sure Miss Nott is dressed appropriately…"

Merope laughed. "You've invited Mabel tonight?" she said.

Salazar glared. "Fuck off, Merope," he said, before exiting the room.

Bellatrix shuddered. She didn't know how her children had ended up so foul mouthed. Definitely nothing to do with her…

Voldemort finally entered, with Evan. He smiled at Bellatrix, but his smile died when he caught sight of Merope.

"No way," he said, shaking his head. "You're not wearing that."

Merope smirked at him. "Don't you like it, Daddy?" she asked coyly.

"Don't daddy me," Voldemort replied, taking a large gulp of his drink. "Go and change. This is a ball not a brothel."

Merope huffed, before pulling out her wand. For a moment, Bellatrix thought she was going to attempt to curse him, but she altered her dress. Bellatrix had to try not to laugh; Merope had added the sheerest piece of silver lace Bellatrix had ever seen from the bottom part of the dress to the floor. Merope smirked at her father, who glared in return, before sitting down.

"What's a brothel?" Evan asked, frowning.

"Never mind," Voldemort said, shrugging.

"Can I have some champagne?" Evan said, his voice hopeful now.

"No," Bellatrix and Voldemort said at the same time. They smirked across the room at each other, before Voldemort moved towards her, pulling her into his arms.

"You look beautiful," he murmured, kissing her lightly.

Salazar came back in, followed by a pretty girl with dark red hair. Bellatrix was pleased to see she was dressed in a long and floaty midnight blue dress with long sleeves. "Mother and Father," he said, heading over to them. He frowned slightly at their contact, but Voldemort let go of her and held her hand instead. "Allow me to introduce Miss Mabel Nott."

Mabel curtseyed briefly, nodding to them both. She looked slightly nervous, but Bellatrix couldn't blame her really.

"Wonderful to meet you, Mabel," Bellatrix said, smiling slightly. The door opened and Lucius, Draco and Scorpius entered the room. Bellatrix passed them each a drink, happy to see them. "Where are the Malfoy ladies?" she asked, watching as Lucius headed over to her husband.

"Aiming to be fashionably late, of course," Draco said, smirking at her. "They were drinking cocktails when we left, so we may not see them."

Bellatrix laughed, watching as Scorpius approached Merope.

"Malfoy," she said, smirking at him.

"Gaunt," he replied, nodding. He sat down next to her. "When is Yaxley going to be here?"

Merope laughed. "So you do fancy her?"

"Yes, of course I do," he said, rolling his eyes. "But she's got two dad's. I've got to make sure she likes me back."

Bellatrix laughed quietly, turning her back to them to face Draco again. "Antonin will be alright with it but Maelor…" she shook her head.

Draco smiled back. "You know what they're like. It's a difficult age. He really wants to impress her."

"I worry that there's someone Merope is going to try to impress tonight…" She glanced over at Voldemort.

"Poor lad," Draco responded, smirking. "But you were married at their age, weren't you?"

"Engaged," Bellatrix said, nodding. "Tom can't be too upset about it. My father was alright with him."

"Maybe it was different then though," Draco said quietly after a moment. "It was the end of the time of arranged marriages."

Bellatrix looked up as the door opened again, this time it was the Yaxley's. She smiled, hugging Antonin tight. "Hello, stranger," she said, kissing him on the cheek. She hardly got to see him now he'd stopped working.

"Hello, gorgeous," he replied, squeezing her tightly.

A stunning blonde girl, the same age as Merope, caught Bellatrix's gaze. She hadn't seen her for a while and she had grown very tall. Alyssia Yaxley had only been seven when her father, Maelor's brother, had died. Her mother had died giving birth to her. Maelor and Antonin had adopted her and were understandably very protective of her.

Merope immediately stood up and grabbed her best friends hand, pulling her towards the drinks. They were giggling instantly and Bellatrix was reminded of how she used to be with Narcissa.

Scorpius was carefully looking over his shoulder at her. Bellatrix beckoned him over, and nervously, he came. "Maelor and Antonin, I don't know if you've met my great-nephew." Scorpius shook their hands, his face slightly paler than usual.

"Pleasure to meet you, Sirs," he said quietly. "I – er – was hoping you might allow me to invite your niece to dance with me tonight," he continued, his words spilling from his mouth quickly.

Maelor's mouth opened to form a round O shape, and he didn't appear to be able to answer. Antonin stepped forwards. "Of course you can," he said, smiling. He looked back to Maelor. "They're of age."

"Er – thank you," Scorpius said, before darting off over to his grandfather, Voldemort, Salazar and his nervous looking girlfriend.

"Mum!" Evan called from the other side of the room. "I'm bored!"

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, heading over to him. "We'll go down soon."

"I want to play with Eric," he said, folding his arms. "You said I could."

"Eric will be waiting for you downstairs," she said, sighing lightly. "Stop your whining. I told you it would be boring at some points. You can go to bed if you prefer." Evan scowled at her. "Come on, let's speak to your dad."

She took his hand, and he accepted hers in return. He was a sweet little boy and he was very loving towards her. They headed over to the group in the middle of the room.

"Ah, beautiful wife," Voldemort said, smiling and sliding his arm around her. "Are you ready to dance with me?"

Bellatrix smiled, kissing him on the cheek. "I am always ready to dance with you."

"I wonder where our wives are," Lucius said, frowning at Draco slightly.

"Astoria said she'd meet me downstairs," Draco replied, shrugging. "We could always find new dates if they don't show."

Bellatrix laughed. "You could, Draco," she responded, smirking at Lucius.

Lucius glared at her.

"Will you two ever stop bickering?" Voldemort asked.

"No," they both said at the same time. Bellatrix laughed. "We're sticking to the predictable."

"We've been at it for our entire lives, Tom," Lucius said, smirking now. "It's because she fancies me."

Bellatrix laughed loudly, squeezing her husband again. He'd finally come around to the idea of having an extended family, which included the Yaxley's, and they were on first name terms, in private at least. He looked down at her, kissing the top of her head.

"Enough, let's go," Voldemort replied, shaking his head at Lucius. "And Malfoy, stop trying to flirt with my wife."

Lucius shrugged. "I've seen you flirt with Narcissa."

Bellatrix laughed. "Tom even flirts with himself, don't take it personally."

Voldemort frowned at her. "How is that even possible?" Bellatrix leant up and kissed him.

"Come on, parents, we're waiting," Salazar called.

With a sigh, Bellatrix looked away from him.

"Few words first," Voldemort said, stepping into the centre of the room. "This is a very special anniversary for us all." He smiled, looking around. "In the last twenty years, so much has changed. Bella and I have achieved everything we wanted, both in our family and in our work. We are tonight going to make the announcement that we are stepping down from our roles." He gestured across the room to Maelor. "Our colleague and friend, Maelor, will take over as Minister of Magic from tomorrow. I am sure he will be a resounding success."

Maelor smiled. "Thank you, Tom. I have enjoyed working with you these last twenty years and I look forward to receiving yours, and Bellatrix's, advice."

Everyone clapped. Bellatrix was going to miss the Ministry, but she was really looking forward to a series of long holidays, once Evan was at Hogwarts and Salazar and Merope were making their own way.

"Let's go and celebrate," Bellatrix said, taking Voldemort's hand and leading everyone from the room. She glanced over her shoulder as they walked down the stairs, Salazar and Mabel were just behind them, sweetly holding hands, Merope and Alyssia were each holding onto one of Scorpius's arms (He looked very happy with this), Evan was with Draco and Lucius and Antonin and Maelor were following at the back. "We've got quite a nice family, really," she murmured to Voldemort. "A bit unusual, but nice."

Voldemort snorted. "More than a bit," he said, smirking at her. They entered the ballroom and instantly people silenced and moved from the centre of the room. Smiling around her, Bellatrix allowed her husband to lead her forwards to open the ball. The music started, and he pulled her close, moving her around in time to the music. "Have I mentioned how beautiful you are tonight?" he asked through their bond.

Bellatrix grinned at him. "Yes. But I don't think I told you how handsome you look."

His grip on her tightened slightly, and he drew her in closer. "I am going to fuck you tonight, Bella, even if we don't get any sleep."

"Do you think we can sneak off half way through?"

Voldemort smiled at her, shaking his head. Bellatrix was aware of Lucius and Narcissa joining them in the dance, then Draco and Astoria and Salazar and Mabel. She smirked as she could see Scorpius dancing with Alyssia and then she noticed that Merope was making eyes across the room at someone. She looked to where her daughter was looking, and could see it was Blaise Zabini's son she was looking at, Tirone. He was looking back.

"Tom," Bellatrix murmured. She looked up at him. "Merope is staring at Tirone Zabini."

Voldemort scowled at her. "I'm not looking, I don't want to see."

"She's seventeen," Bellatrix pointed out, trying not to laugh. "You were talking filth into my ear when I was that age."

Voldemort gripped her hand tightly. "You aren't my daughter, Bella," he said, sighing.

"He's a lovely boy. She could do worse." She caught sight of Evan and his friend Eric dancing solemnly arm in arm as they were, deliberately bumping into as many people as they could. She laughed. "Look at our little son. He's a monster. He reminds me so much of my cousin."

Voldemort had to laugh.

"Right, I should dance with Sal," she said after a moment. "You dance with Mabel. And be nice to her."

Voldemort scowled at her again, but he knew she was right and carefully went to interrupt his son's dance. Salazar approached his mother quickly, putting his arm around her. "Mother," he said, smiling at her. "Your last night as the Deputy Minister."

Bellatrix nodded. "Quite a relief. But never mind that, tell me about Mabel. You've never mentioned her."

Salazar shrugged. "She's pretty."

"Why was Merope laughing?"

"Merope always laughs at me," he said, rolling his eyes. "If you must know… I've liked Mabel for years. Everyone else knew it and found it funny... They thought I could have any girl I wanted. Mabel is shy and I didn't know how to ask her."

"You could have any girl," Bellatrix responded, smiling at him. "But you're a gentleman. She seems lovely, and she must be very brave coming to this with you."

Salazar smiled. "She is lovely." He glanced over to her. "I'd better rescue her. I hope Father is being nice to her." He bowed slightly to Bellatrix, before heading back to Mabel.

Bellatrix moved towards Merope. "Ask him to dance," she said, quietly.

Merope looked up at her. "What?" she said, clearly shocked.

"Seriously, men love that kind of thing," Bellatrix responded, smiling at her daughter who was actually now slightly taller than her. "You look beautiful. You're the Dark Lord's daughter. He's not going to say no."

Merope sighed lightly. "I don't want him to agree because he's scared of my father," she replied.

"He's probably not asking for that exact reason," Bellatrix responded. "He's not taken his eyes off you since we arrived."

Merope looked at her. "Considering you've been married for about one hundred years, you know quite a lot about men."

Bellatrix laughed. "Your father is a man as any other," she replied. "Go on." She watched as Merope crossed the room. Voldemort stood next to her and handed her a drink. "So, what's Mabel like?"

"Sweet," Voldemort replied, smiling. "Nice girl. Not right for Sal, though. He needs someone to push him."

"He's had a lot of girlfriend's, don't think she will be the last," Bellatrix said, still watching as Tirone took Merope's hand and led her out to dance. "Ahh, there we go."

"Such a brave young man," Voldemort said, watching them both. She could hear the admiration in his voice. "Let's go outside and leave them to it for a while."

Bellatrix nodded and followed him out to the balcony. She caught sight of Posey dancing with her husband, Alfred Abbott, and waved slightly, knowing she would catch up with her later. As they got outside, she could see the stars were shining in the sky, it was a lovely night. "Can you believe it's been twenty years?"

He slid his arm around her. "No, not really. It's gone so quickly."

"This time twenty years ago, I thought you might not wake up." She looked up at him. "It was horrible."

"But now… We will always be together." He took her hand and pressed it against his chest. Bellatrix smiled back.

"Always," she echoed. "This always seems like it's our anniversary as well. I think our exchange of souls was in a way, a new marriage for us."

"It was." He squeezed her. "I am glad you stuck with me."

"I will always be your most loyal, my love," she said, turning to face him. He kissed her on the lips, and Bellatrix felt like she was melting. He was perfect.

She could never ask for anything more than he had given her.

Her life was perfect.

x-x

The End.