A/N: Another chapter… Woots! Hmmm… I'm not really sure if this is too long and confusing or not. But Nefaria's story hasn't even really started yet. And I don't want this fic to be more than ten or twelve chapters. Anyway, enjoy!

"My friends," A cold, high voice said softly. Voldemort sat at the head of a magically enlarged, oval-shaped table in Snape's dining room. "Please have a seat."

A large group of Death Eaters filed into the room and sat down around the table. Snape sat to the right of the Dark Lord, then Lucius Malfoy next him. After him, there was Crabbe, then Goyle; Avery, the two Carrows, Dolohov, Barty Crouch Jr., Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange, Peter Pettigrew, Nott, Macnair, Mulciber, Wilkes, Rookwood, Rosier, all the way back around to Bellatrix Black, on Voldemort's left.

"First," Voldemort said, "I would like to congratulate Mr. Crouch, Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange, and Bellatrix. They successfully incapacitated Frank and Alice Longbottom, two of the greatest Aurors known today. We must all thank them for disposing of a threat to our rise to power." Some of the Death Eaters turned to the successful torturers and murmured a thanks or congratulations.

"Next," Voldemort continued, "The blood-traitor Weasley family is going to have yet another child. Would someone please volunteer to put an end to this disaster? They have, what, 10 children? They've gone to far in polluting the world with scum. Lucius? You're… they're second cousin or something, are you not? Please, for all of our sakes…"

"Yes, My Lord, of course. I will do whatever it takes to purify the wizarding race for you, master."

"Another matter," Voldemort said quickly, ignoring Malfoy's failed attempt at flattery and show of devotion. "I feel the time has come to take the next step in infiltrating the Ministry. We have an agent in the Department of Mysteries, Rookwood, but that is not enough. If we wish to truly control the government, we must do better than that. Any ideas?"

Rookwood spoke up. "My Lord. I do work at the ministry. If I had the opportunity, I could put the Imperius curse on one of the higher employees. I suppose if I just had the chance, it wouldn't be that hard. They're all just so well-protected!"

Voldemort replied coldly, "You've been working at the Ministry this long, and yet you still haven't found this chance? I'll give you the job, Rookwood. But do it in a reasonable amount of time."

Voldemort took a deep breath. "Lastly, I have an announcement to make. Bellatrix," he said, saying her name with something unrecognizable in his tone. It could be kindness, or care, or even love, but it was for too short a time to name it. "Bellatrix, as one of my most devoted servants, will be the mother to the most unique, powerful creature in the entire world."

The Death Eaters turned to each other, muttering in confusion. They stopped, however, when they realized Voldemort wasn't done. "Lord Voldemort's daughter," he said simply. Eyes wide, people gasped. Voldemort, obviously annoyed by the excessive muttering and curiosity, said succinctly, "We meet again in two weeks."

All eighteen people stood and left the room. Bellatrix began to file out the door with the rest of them, when Voldemort called softly, "Bellatrix, wait." She turned and swiftly sat back down, this time at the opposite end of the table, facing her master.

"We have a few matters to discuss. First, names. You know names have a very important role in the wizarding world. You, for example, are a true warrior, as your name says. And then there's me. Do you know what my name means, Bellatrix?"

Bellatrix thought for a moment. "Vol- flight. In French. De- well, de- means from or of… and Mort. Death."

Voldemort smiled. "Yes, that's right. Flight from death. Although, I would disagree with the word 'flight.' It has a connotation of being afraid, of fleeing. No, I mean it more as if I have cunningly eluded death," he said thoughtfully. "So this girl must have a name that fits both her and her heritage. Any suggestions?"

Bellatrix looked down, concentrating hard. "Well, it must have a Latin root I suppose," she said.

Voldemort nodded. "Or at least a Romance language. After all, the Romans practically invented modern magic."

Bellatrix muttered to herself, "Malus… evil. Mala? No. No, no, no… Or 'wicked,' Malefica… No, too long. Oh, I don't know!" she said in frustration.

They both brainstormed some more, trying to figure out the perfect name for the child. Bellatrix found this new, equal power in decision making profoundly wonderful; she finally had a true say in what the Dark Lord did.

Finally, Bellatrix licked her lips and said, "What about Nefaria? It means wicked. In Latin, I mean."

Voldemort was silent. He tilted his head and blinked. "Yes," he said quietly. "The Dark Lord's daughter, Nefaria. Perfect."

Bellatrix smiled. "Wonderful! Nefaria," she said again, putting her hand lightly on her stomach.

There was a moment of quiet, and then Voldemort continued. "Another thing. Housing? I know you live in a… well, an unsuitable house. Much too small. I want her to grow up in the perfect environment. Can you find someone to help you find the perfect house?"

Bellatrix quickly responded, "Narcissa Malfoy."

Voldemort nodded. "Very well. I want it to be secluded. Not completely isolated, but definitely in a Muggle neighborhood. Teach her to ignore them, to hate them." Bellatrix agreed. Voldemort ended with, "There are more matters to discuss, but we have time. Go rest. We will talk soon."

Bellatrix got up slowly and bowed slightly. "Thank you, my Lord," she said.

She walked slowly out of the room, and Voldemort called softly, only for her to hear, "Good night."

---

Narcissa and Bellatrix appeared with two small pops on the deserted sidewalk of a Muggle neighborhood. They had been searching for the right new neighborhood for Bellatrix for over a month. They just couldn't seem to get it right; some were too infested with Muggles, some were just too small, some were too far away from wizarding settlements, and some were just plain boring.

Bellatrix looked around took in the houses around them. They all looked pretty much the same, but there was a slight charm to them. This neighborhood was only a half-hour drive to London, and it wasn't like Bellatrix needed to drive anyway. She could just apparate or floo her and her baby wherever they needed to be.

She stood in front of an empty lot, hand akimbo. She stared for a moment more, and then Bellatrix said, "All right. This is it."

Narcissa grinned and said, "Wonderful! Oh, this is going to be so much fun. Let's get started."

They both set to work, casting every protection spell and charm imaginable, from Muggle-repelling charms to making it Unplottable. Finally, they were about to do the Fidelis Charm when they spotted a Muggle couple off in the distance walking towards them.

Narcissa put her hand lightly on Bellatrix's arm and said, "Wait till they leave," nodding her head towards the man and the woman pushing a baby carriage.

They both tucked their wands into their long, flowing robes and stood patiently. As the two adults and their infant walked by Bellatrix and Narcissa, the woman muttered, "Oh, the nerve of some people. What tacky clothes!"

Bellatrix took a deep, angry breath, and clutched her wand tightly in her right hand. Narcissa quickly put her hand on Bellatrix's arm and said, "Not now. Another time."

Bellatrix scowled. "The nerve of them, those filthy Muggles."

"No, no, the house, remember?" Narcissa said hastily.

Bellatrix turned reluctantly back around and looked at Narcissa. "Ok," she said. They proceeded with the multiple-stepped charm. First, Bellatrix whispered the address of the lot into Narcissa's ear. Then, at the same time, they shouted the address and pointed their wands at the lot. "Domus Fidelis!" They cried together.

Bellatrix said, "Well? Did it work? Can you see it?"

Narcissa smiled. "Nope! And I've forgotten the address like I'm supposed to." Bellatrix whispered it into her ear once more. Narcissa nodded. "All right. Let's get to work."

---

After eight months, the house was done. It took an exceptionally long time to build because Bellatrix and Narcissa had to build it alone- Bellatrix was now wanted by the Ministry for the torture of the Longbottoms.

The house was huge and elegant. It was Victorian style, painted black on the outside with white trimming. The front yard had a few bushes and a tree, but the sisters hadn't spent too much time on landscaping because no one could see it anyway. Inside, the ceilings were breathtakingly tall and carved white trimming continued throughout the house. It was furnished with style- it had everything from mahogany tables and chairs to mounted bookshelves that lined the walls in one room. The walls were decorated with photographs, a few paintings, and a bit of Death Eater memorabilia (Bellatrix hung her old Death Eater mask- she had a new one now- on the wall of her future daughter's room).

Bellatrix's favorite part of the house was the backyard. She had magically enlarged it threefold, so it was now almost an acre. She had set up a playpen for Nefaria in one corner, as well as a patio table and chairs for eating outside on nice days. The best part, in Bellatrix's opinion, was the training area. She had set up a target for practicing aiming spells. There was also a huge bin full of objects ready to be transfigured, as well as a few dressers and tanks, filled with various magical creatures, including a gryndilow and a boggart, to name a few. This was the perfect area to train a child in all areas of practical magic and dueling.

Bellatrix and Narcissa stepped into the house, smiling nervously, followed by the great Dark Lord himself. Bellatrix's heart filled with joy that her master was finally in her own home. After a tour of the house, Voldemort smiled slightly. "This is absolutely fantastic," he said. "May I have a word with Bellatrix for a moment?" he said to Narcissa. Narcissa nodded respectfully and left the room.

"My lord, do you like it?" Bellatrix asked excitedly.

"I do, very much so," Voldemort replied. "I just wanted to tell you something. Only a few of my followers know about this, but I felt you should be in on the secret." He stopped. "Maybe it would be easier to show you." He conjured up a blue glass bowl with the flick of his wand and pulled a bottle out of his pocket. It contained a few drops of a silvery liquid. He poured it into the Pensieve and motioned for Bellatrix to take a look. She leaned in…

The figure of Sybil Trelawny appeared. The memory was seen from a crack in the door. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And the Dark…" She was cut off by a slight gasp. The man in the memory, standing at the door, quickly turned and ran down the stairs and out of the pub, going to warn his master.

Bellatrix looked up at Voldemort. "Power to… vanquish you?" she gulped. Voldemort nodded gravely. "Thrice defied him… the Potters," Bellatrix pondered.

"Or the Longbottoms. Their son was born last year at the end of July. But I believe it is the Potters," Voldemort said. "I'm going to destroy them and their son tonight. My source- well, you know my source. Wormtail." Bellatrix nodded. "I wanted to tell you before I left."

"Thank you for telling me," Bellatrix said softly. "I'm very grateful you told me all of this."

"It's getting dark out. I'm off," Voldemort said. He turned and his robes swished behind him.

"Good luck!" Bellatrix cried after him.

After a few moments, Narcissa came back in the room. She began talking as soon as she heard the front door shut. "What was that? What happened? Is everything ok?"

Bellatrix quickly calmed her sister down. "It's fine," she said. "He was telling me of his plans for tonight. He's going to do… a job. I can't tell you. Secrecy. You know." Narcissa nodded and relaxed, glad that nothing was wrong. "Oh, I hope he's all right!" Bellatrix exclaimed. "'The power to vanquish'…" she sighed, eyebrows furrowed.

Narcissa looked taken aback. "Power to vanquish? What?!"

Bellatrix shook her head. "I can't tell you. I just hope he's all right."

Narcissa put her hand comfortingly on Bellatrix's shoulder. "He is the Dark Lord," she said confidently. "Even if it is dangerous, he'll be fine. Trust me."

Bellatrix took a few deep breaths, still worried. Then, all of a sudden, she completely forgot about the Dark Lord and Harry Potter. She looked down, and she had something trickling down her leg.

"Oh…" she said quietly. "I think… I think my baby's going to be born tonight."