Bellatrix Apparated to the clearing. To her surprise she was the only Death Eater there.
"There you are Bellatrix" The Dark Lord called out to her and began closing the ground between them. She walked toward him and bowed her head.
"You wished to see me my Lord." She could feel his eyes on her but didn't dare look up fearing she might collapse.
"Yes Bellatrixss." The way he hissed her name made her shiver with desire. "I have an important mission for you."
Her head snapped up. Delight at the prospect of serving her master shone clearly in her widened dark eyes.
"You will not enjoy this Bella." He continued.
Bella? He's never called me Bella before. She thought excitedly.
"Anything I can do my Lord." She said almost giddy.
He looked down at her smiling at how eager she was to please him.
"There is a man I require information from he is reputed to have created great dark magic. I need to know all that he has accomplished. I wish to know all his secrets."
Torturing someone? She thought happily. This is wonderful. Torture is one of my favourite pastimes second only to sex. And even then they are better together.
"I need you," he continued. "to get to this man, use any methods you like to gain all the knowledge you can, then dispose of him."
"Of course. Where is he?" She asked wanting to start her assignment straight away.
"Azkaban." Voldemort said simply, watching her close for any signs she might be reluctant.
Bella's eyes widened and she became a tad twitchy.
"Azkaban, my Lord?" She whispered and Voldemort nodded not taking his eyes off her.
"Is there a problem?" He asked coolly.
"No. Of course not. Anything you wish of me." She said a little too quickly and a bit too loud.
No. Why there? Suddenly her joy at serving her master was not quite as strong as a moment ago. Surely he knows how I feel about that place. Why did he choose me? Dare I ask him?
She couldn't look at him. So, staring at her feet she summoned her courage.
"If I may ask my Lord, why did you choose me?"
He stepped up closer to her.
"Look at me Bellatrix." He demanded and reluctantly she lifted her eyes to his face, her heart racing. Please don't be angry with me. She thought and her eyes unintentionally pleaded.
"I chose you because I knew you were the only one who could break into Azkaban and make it out alive." His voice was as hard as ever but she found his words comforting.
If he has faith in me I know I can do this. She couldn't believe she actually smiled at the thought of braking into Azkaban.
"I will not fail you my Lord."
He nodded and stepped away from her. Reaching into his robes he pulled out a small glass bottle.
"Take this. It will protect you from the thoughts of those otherwise unreachable." He made to leave but turned back to her.
"There will be a meeting soon. You might as well stay." He said before turning on the spot and disappearing with a loud crack.
It wasn't long before the others arrived and began to bother her.
"Bellatrix. This...whatever we have, it has to stop." Lucius struggled to tell her.
"I agree." She replied never taking her eyes off the inner circle. He'll be there soon.
She could hear Lucius saying more but wasn't listening. Instead she chose to enjoy a fantasy about the Dark Lord, running his hands along her body. It startled her when she felt something gliding along her leg from behind, lifting up her skirt. Oh it's just Lucius.
"Just one more time." Bella heard him whisper.
She shoved Crabbe and he stumbled into Nott who didn't look too happy. Crabbe however seemed to find encouragement in the unexpected contact and gave her a wink.
Stepping into her newly acquired extra space Bellatrix was out of Lucius' reach. He closed the gap but did not touch her.
"Don't play games with me Bellatrix." He growled threateningly. She wasn't intimidated of course but she did look over at him.
"Cissy doesn't want to share. So it's over." She said simply. Lucius turned as white as his hair.
"Narcissa?" He stammered. "You told her?" There was a note of fear in his voice she found amusing.
Bellatrix continued to act as if they discussed the weather. "Naturally."
"No." The anger in his voice was apparent but he kept the volume low. "Bellatrix that is not natural. Who sleeps with her sister's husband and then tells her about it?"
Bellatrix tipped her head looking up at him but decided this wasn't worth answering and returned to her staring.
"Only you Bellatrix." She heard him mumble beside her. She was preoccupied with her own problems.
What am I going to do now? Or rather who? She thought to herself. There really weren't too many attractive Death Eaters left. Her eye rested on Snape. She looked him over appraisingly. Not bad. His hair was rather dirty but that was unimportant. His features were not as ugly as one might think at first glance and he had an elegance she found she was drawn to.
The Dark Lord Apparated into the centre of the circle. Bella felt her heart race at the sight of him. How could she have been thinking of Snape?