A/N: At last I decided to update! I'm really sorry once a again for the delay but my free time was pretty limited over the last few months. A couple of weeks ago I decided to write again but I spent most of my time keeping notes about how the story is going to evolve. Anyway... again I don't like my writing in this chapter... plus, nothing really special happens... Can't wait to write the next chapters though. Ok. Enough with my delirium. Enjoy... (and don't forget to review! It really helps me to improve)

Chapter 5

"Ahhhh!"

Another wave of excruciating pain hit her. She had fallen on the cold floor made of dark stone for what seemed the millionth time that night. Her eyes got a glimpse of the crystal chandelier above her, right before she curled in on herself trying to bare the pain that had taken over her body.

When she arrived for her lesson at midnight, she felt more than ready to confront any kind of challenge her master would put her through. She was ready to endure anything that would in benefit him in any way. She didn't care at all if he would hurt her as long as it would serve a greater cause. If he thought that it was necessary, he had every right to cause her as much pain as he wished. It was a privilege that only he was allowed to relish.

However, at the moment, the only thing she wanted was to make him stop. Her powers had abandoned her completely and she felt that she was about to faint. She couldn't take anymore, that was for sure. In her head there was only one thing right now, one simple phrase ringing Make it stop! and all she could do was struggle to suppress her impulse to scream it out loud, knowing the unpleasant consequences it would have.

After a few moments that felt like decades, the wave of pain subsided. She remained still, in the same fetus position, breathing heavily. Every inch of her body was in pain and she didn't dare make a move. Hot tears were rolling down her face unstoppable, mixing with the blood that was coming out of her mouth, and were starting to form a small pool on the floor next to where her head was lying. She could neither speak nor think. Her head was pounding. All her energy had drained out of her. The idea of falling asleep on the cold floor seemed very appealing now. If only she could close her eyes, rest for a minute or two… But something inside her told her that such a thing would be sheer foolishness so she gathered her energies and focused her concentration solely on staying awake. She didn't even hear her master sighing above her; neither did she see him walking closer to her.

"If this was a real duel, I would have killed you… let me see… yes… 12 times now, Bellatrix" she heard him stating in his coldest tone. "Now get up, we are going to try something different"

Bellatrix was in such a state that she could not make any sense of his words. She just felt that she had to protest. She knew that what he told her was not good, that she couldn't do it. She tried to say something but it only came out as an incoherent mumble.

"What was that?" Voldemort demanded lowering his head to make sure he hears right.

She summoned all of her powers to slightly raise her head and all she finally managed to do was mutter a barely audible "Enough…" under her breath.

If she could see Voldemort's face she would notice the brief look of puzzlement that momentarily crossed it. It took him a couple of seconds to take in what he'd heard and after that small pause he finally replied.

"I'm afraid you have been confused as to what your role here is, Bellatrix" he heard his voice coming from afar, calm yet somewhat distorted, the way it was when he was trying to restrain his anger. "Now, get up"

His voice echoed demandingly in her head. She knew that she could not do anything else than follow his orders. Even if he didn't tell her anything she was well aware that no one could ever tell the Dark Lord what he should or should not do. It was a downright insult to his person. She didn't even know how she dared tell him to stop. She was just lucky he had decided to be lenient with her that day.

She was now feeling slightly better than a few minutes before. Her headache had been greatly reduced though all her limbs still felt numb and every move she made caused her a great deal of pain. Blood was still coming out of her mouth only its flow had slowed and her tears had dried completely. She slowly managed to raise her body in a sitting position and she mechanically put her hand in the pocket of her cloak to reach her wand. But it wasn't there. She wandered her look around the room, searching for it while images of the duel that had took place earlier started to flash before her eyes.

She… landing on the ground over and over again under Voldemort's full of contempt look. She didn't manage to hit him, not once except… except for the last time when she found herself lying helpless on the floor unable to take any more. But then… Where was her wand? Oh yes… He had disarmed her. Her eyes stopped on her master's left hand. There it was. Only a few inches away from her. She just now realized how close to her, her master was standing. She tried to get up only to find herself falling on the floor once more.

"I'm starting to lose my patience here, Bellatrix" Voldemort stated. His anger was obvious.

Bellatrix once again summoned all her powers and finally managed to stand up. She extended her arm in order to receive her wand making her ribs twinge but Voldemort didn't seem to bother giving it back.

"As you might have imagined what we've done so far was just a warm-up." he stated but judging by her confused look he added "What did you think Bellatrix? That I would waste such a great part of my time each day to teach you how to duel? It's about time you learnt some more useful things. The reason you are here because I want you to delve deep into the Dark Arts. I want you to conquer them. Master them the way I have."

There was a brief pause before Bellatrix finally responded

"I… I'm deeply honored by your words, my Lord but I could never be… as good as you" she said in difficulty making a painful grimace while rubbing her left shoulder where one of his curses had hit her.

"Don't be silly Bellatrix. I never expected you to do so and, please, don't interrupt me when I speak." he retorted obviously offended.

Bellatrix lowered her head in embarrassment and decided to keep her mouth shut from now on, open it only if she was asked something. She had come to the conclusion that she only made things worse every time she decided to speak. So when Voldemort told her that they were going to begin their Dark Arts lesson with practicing the Unforgivable Curses she found it pointless to point out that she was not in a physical state to have the Cruciatus Curse cast upon her, neither in the mental state to defend the Imperius Curse and above all she did not dare express her puzzlement as to where on Earth they would practice the Killing Curse in this vacant and isolated place. But when she heard Voldemort say that she was to cast the Cruciatus Curse upon him she could not help a desperate…

"I could never do this to you, my Lord!"

Voldemort let out a smirk before replying "Don't worry Bellatrix. Believe me; you will not manage to cause me as much pain as you think."

Bellatrix tried to say something but Voldemort hastily handed her back her wand "Enough Bellatrix. You are not here to judge my decisions, am I clear? Besides, I must ensure that you are doing it right. Now come on. Show me what you can do" and he walked all the way to the other side of the room.

Bellatrix could not but obey to his order so she quickly got into a dueling position and got a good grip on her wand.

However intimidating, she should admit she'd never done it before. She had never used an Unforgivable Curse on anyone. Not that she thought that it was not appropriate or anything like that, it just had never been necessary. She felt quite embarrassed about that and hoped that she would manage to cast it successfully, yet with all those contradicting feelings inside her, she doubted she would. She could not believe she was about to do this. Cause pain to her master. But if this was his wish then she could not but obey. And not just obey but manage to do it right. It would be a total disaster if she would not succeed.

Time was running out. Voldemort was standing there waiting for her to do what he had demanded and he would lose his patience if she would not respond immediately. So she decisively casted all her thoughts aside, cleared her throat and prepared herself for what was going to happen.

"Crucio!" she shouted and … nothing. Her wand did not respond, not even slightly… not even a faint glow came out… nothing. She quickly turned her head from her wand and looked at her master with a shocked expression, waiting for the worse. She was completely taken by surprise to see a smile painting on his lips.

"You've never used and Unforgivable curse before, have you Bellatrix?" he asked her in amusement.

She should feel relieved that he wasn't angry about it but instead she felt even more uncomfortable. She felt the familiar warmth of her blushed cheeks spreading on her face.

"No, my Lord. I haven't." she admitted in obvious humiliation and added "Never had to"

"And what if you had to?"

"I have no problem in using them if this is what you're asking, my Lord. I'm glad I finally have the chance to practice them. I always considered it silly that it was forbidden to learn about them in Hogwarts. But most things about Hogwarts are silly anyway…"

"That's great to hear Bellatrix. Now come on. Give it one more try. And, please, concentrate this time" he finally said and they both took their positions.

Their small conversation with Voldemort had calmed her down a little bit and since the pain she felt had subsided dramatically, it was a lot easier for her to focus on what she had to do. I'll make it

"Crucio!" she shouted once again. Now a bright red lightning beam emerged from her wand hitting Voldemort right in the chest, making him back off a few steps. However he didn't seem to be in any kind of pain. Bellatrix broke the spell and stared at him in wonderment.

"No Bellatrix… It was not good enough. It didn't hurt more than a bee sting. You can definitely do much more than a bee sting Bellatrix. Do it again. Focus!" he demanded

"Crucio!" she screamed once more. The same bright beam hit Voldemort. A painful look crossed his face and the moment Bellatrix realized it she immediately lowered her wand.

"Why did you stop? Did I tell you to stop?" he asked her furiously

"I sorry, my Lord, but you seemed to feel rather …uncomfortable" she exclaimed

"Of course I felt uncomfortable Bellatrix! You were casting the Cruciatus Curse on me! Did you expect me to feel pleased about it?" he retorted sarcastically

"I'm so sorry, my Lord" she apologized with her cheeks now blazing.

"However, it was better this time but still…" he didn't finish his sentence as he seemed to get lost in his thoughts for a moment but shortly after he added "You see, Bellatrix, there is a simple rule you need follow in order to cast these curses successfully…You have to mean them, Bella. You need to really want to cause pain –to enjoy it!" he said in fascination looking straight into her eyes.

Bellatrix steadily looked him back and remained silent for a while to take in his words. "With all due respect, my Lord, but… I would never want to cause you pain. How could I ever want such a thing?" she said selecting her words very carefully. She didn't want to get him angry again now he had decided to show leniency.

"You are missing the point Bellatrix. You must enjoy causing pain in general, not specifically on the person you cast the spell. You need to get joy from torturing people. To gain pleasure from it. Only then you can reach its full potency" he explained and his eyes flashed red for a second.

"I think I understand, my Lord. So shall we try it again?" she dared ask

"Of course. But first tell me Bellatrix, can you name one person that you truly despise? A person that you would enjoy torturing?"

The first think that came to her mind was Rodolphus. He had become really annoying these last days. However, she didn't think he was the right choice for that. No, she did not by any means wish to torture him. He hadn't done anything that would deserve this kind of treatment. At least… not yet. So she answered the next thing that came to her mind, and that she was certain she truly despised if not get disgusted by it.

"Some mudblood I suppose. Not someone specific. Just all of them. They all deserve to be tortured… to death" she replied and anger started growing inside her.

"Oh! Of course!" Voldemort stated in agreement, satisfied by her reply "Now, tell me, Bellatrix… Would a half-blood do?"

For a moment Bellatrix got puzzled by this weird question but with her anger now boiling she responded without giving it much thought.

"Of course, my Lord. Sometimes I can't decide which is worse. Someone born by two filthy Muggles or the offspring of a pure-blood wizard that has deliberately chosen to breed with a scum…"

"Then… please, do proceed" Voldemort's hollow voice echoed.