Lord Voldemort remained in seclusion for several days thinking and planning. Every so often his mind would return to thoughts of her, her screaming in pain, her body lying in a crumpled heap, or her soaked in her own blood from losing a child. In reality it was his child. It made him very angry at himself. The Dark lord did not delight in carnal pleasures, much less conceive from them. He was ashamed that he showed a human need, a human urge to gratify his sexual impulses. Lord Voldemort was also confused, when he heard her say that the child wasn't her husband's he felt sadness, sympathy, and remorse. He hadn't felt that in decades. The last time he felt remorse was when he was about five years old in the orphanage where he was raised. He had pushed a girl not much younger than himself off of a swing during one of the few times they were taken to a park to play. She sat down on ground and cried her palms and knees bloodied. She had looked up at him with those tear-filled eyes. She did not run and tell, she simply sat there watching him with those delving blue eyes. It felt like she was swimming through him, his soul, every memory and misdeed un-raveled like a spool or thread. He didn't like the feel of guilt or remorse creeping along inside of him, picking away at his conscience as small as it was. He didn't like it at all.
Bellatrix sat in the clawed bathtub letting the steaming waters cleanse her body and her mind. She didn't want to leave the water but made her tired body climb out and dry herself off. Bellatrix gathered everything she needed. Her wand, her death-eater mask, and robe. She was clean and her hair brushed. She stood before the full length mirror and sighed. Maybe if she looked the same things would still be the same. Bellatrix frowned. "What will I say when I approach him? Should I apologize? Yes I'll apologize." She thought straightening her robes. "I will return to my master and apologize for the trouble I have brought him, the time I have wasted." Bellatrix said out loud. With a faint pop she disappeared.
Lord Voldemort stared into the fire place of the small abandoned house. It wasn't as extravagant as the Riddle house he had inhabited previously. It was merely a brick hearth and a chimney to channel the smoke. His mind continued to linger on her, and what emotions she had brought about. He searched every crevice of his mind trying to find some reason, some excuse for the latent emotions. Lord Voldemort had felt, he felt the pain of another human being and there was no excuse for it, no influence or meddling of another person. It had been completely of his own accord. "She is the most loyal, the most faithful of all my servants. Bellatrix has been a rather useful asset in the last few years. It makes sense that I would be curious of her well being. She has served me well." He thought rising from the dusty and threadbare armchair in which he sat. Just then he felt a rush of warm air and heard a faint pop in the background. Lord Voldemort turned and saw her down on her knees leaning forward in a bow.
"Master." She said warmly.
"Hello Bellatrix." He said softly. She crawled forward on her knees and kissed at the herms of his robes.
"My Lord I have come to apologize and proclaim my loyalty, respect, and dedication to you." Bella said with a quiver in her voice. "My Lord I am sorry I have brought dishonor to your name with an illegitimate child, I am sorry I could not complete the mission, and I am sorry I brought you displeasure." Bellatrix said her voice stronger and more pronounced.
"Bellatrix, you may rise. He said coolly taking a step back. She climbed to her feet and looked before him. "All is forgiven." The Dark Lord said holding up his hand to stop her from continuing. She blinked and looked up into his dark eyes.
"Thank you master, I am indebted to you for your generosity and forgiveness." She said nodding her head.
"My Lord, are the others aware of what has happened recently?" Bellatrix asked.
"No one but your family, Severus, and I know of it." Lord Voldemort said looking back over to the hearth. Bellatrix let out a breath of relief. He looked over to her curiously.
"Are you well enough to complete a mission for me?" Lord Voldemort asked turning to face her again. Bella was conflicted, she didn't know if she truly was well enough or not. She decided that it would be best to follow through with whatever he entrusted her with.
"Yes, My Lord, I am ready for anything." She said standing taller. He always knew when a person was lying; she wasn't so much lying as simply un-certain. Lord Voldemort focused his gaze upon her.
"I need you to come with me up to the mountains and help me to persuade a few creatures to join our cause. Too many people will frighten them and will make them distrustful, and one person traveling alone would be considered food." He said walking to the other side of the room. Dumbledore is already trying to get them on his side so we need to move quickly." Lord Voldemort added walking back towards her.
"My Lord, may I ask what these creatures are?" Bellatrix asked tentatively.
"Giants Bellatrix, Giants that need to be on our side." The Dark Lord said with a tone of importance.
"Who else would be coming along?" Bellatrix asked following his gaze to the crackling embers.
"I trust no one else, Snape needs to keep an eye on Dumbledore, Lucious will certainly be noticed if he's gone for a spell, and the others are either too slippery to trust, to weak, too ignorant, or too prominent to come along." Lord Voldemort said calmly. Nagini slithered up the side of his chair and rested partially on her master's shoulder.
"It is a great honor to serve you my Lord." Bellatrix said going down on her knees. It truly was an honor, to serve as his only companion on such an important journey.
"Rise Bellatrix, there is much to plan and account for." He said walking over to a desk by the stairs. There were various maps, lists, and books scattering the small surface. "It is important that no one knows of our exact whereabouts. You are allowed to tell your family that you are leaving just not where or why." Lord Voldemort said sorting through various pieces of parchment. He handed her a list. "We will need all of these items plus anything else you specifically may need or think appropriate. This charm here will allow us to pack everything into something as small as a wallet." He said handing her another piece of parchment. Lord Voldemort stacked the other random pieces to clear the surface of the desk for a rather large map. "Since we cannot apparate to this spot we will have to go on foot. This is as far as we can apparate to without bringing un-necessary attention to ourselves." Lord Voldemort continued to point out places on the map, list necessary enchantments and charms, and also other items such as various potions and valuables to present and trade with the giants. They were to leave in three days upon his signal and confirmation. Bellatrix was sent home much later that day with a lot to think about and to prepare. Not to mention she left Malfoy manner without such as a single word to Narcissa or anyone else for that matter.
Author's Note: Sorry I took so long to post. Lots of work to be done for the up-coming school year. My birthday was on the 26th! Yahoo!
