Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. Not me. The end.

"Master."

"How many times to I have to tell you, Bella, you do not have to refer to me as 'Master' when it is just you and I."

"I kn-n-know," Bellatrix stammered. "But I feel I must. My powers are dismal compared to yours. I am but a novice."

"This is not about powers," the Dark Lord replied. He lifted cupped Bellatrix's chin in his slender hand and lifted her face to his. He brought his lips to hers and the two began to kiss. However, they were soon interrupted when Lucius Malfoy opened the door.

"Mast—oh, erm, sorry."

The two broke apart and Voldemort looked at Lucius. "It's quite all right, Lucius. You wanted…?"

"That fool we captured to gather information from won't talk."

"Torture him, then. I thought—foolishly, I suppose—that you, of all people, would know creative ways to get informants, however reluctant they are, to speak."

Lucius grimaced. "This one feels he should be noble. He won't say anything except 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will be defeated!'"

"Bellatrix," Voldemort addressed his most devoted Death Eater.

"Yes, Master?"

"I feel that you will do a much better job getting the informant to speak."

Bellatrix looked at Voldemort with wonder in her eyes. "Yes, Master." She bowed her head and followed Malfoy out.

"Wait." Voldemort stopped her at the door. "Tonight."

Bellatrix gave a short nod, knowing exactly what the Dark Lord meant.

"Did Miss Cole even give you a hint as to who your parents were?" James looked inquiringly at Bidelia.

"No, just described my mum. Apparently she was beautiful but scary." Bidelia shrugged. "Useless information. I could've gotten that by looking in the mirror."

James gave a little laugh. "I'm sure."

The two were on the Hogwarts Express headed back to school. Their compartment was empty except for the two of them, because no other Slytherin wanted to sit with a Gryffindor, and vice versa for the Gryffindors.

Bidelia pulled her hair out of her eyes and pinned it back. "Ugh, it's so hot. I wish that witch with the food trolley would hurry up. I need something to drink so I can cool off."

"It is hot, but it's worse for you. Why don't you take that monstrosity off?" James indicated the heavy coat that Bidelia was wearing.

"Erm, I think not…" Bidelia politely refused.

"Why not?"

"Fine, I'll take the jacket off." Bidelia removed the offending coat. Underneath, it was obvious why she didn't want to take it off.

"What is that?" James asked, obviously disgusted.

"Miss Cole made me wear it," Bidelia mumbled. Underneath the coat was a hideous and obviously ancient flowered dress.

"Well why don't you go ahead and change into your robes? I would if I were you, I wouldn't stay in that hideous thing for too long."

"Yeah, I think I will. I didn't even think of that." Bidelia looked glad for a way out of wearing the hideous thing. She got up to go change, and when she came back she saw that a herd of Gryffindors had decided to seize the opportunity and take advantage of her not being there.

"Well look who it is. The little Gryffindor wannabe. Riddle, why don't you just jump off a tower or something?"

"Or maybe she could request to become a Gryffindor."

"Urgh, no! I would rather be a Hufflepuff than share the same house as her!"

"Ha, you think you would have a problem being in a house with me? I would be in trouble all the time for kicking your arse!"

"Bidelia!" James jumped up and grabbed her. "No time to make threats. We're almost at Hogwarts!"

"I don't make threats, James. I don't make promises either." She glared at the Gryffindor girl. "I just tell the truth."