Here we go! This is one of the chapters I have had planned for a long time so I would really like to know what everyone thinks. It is also where I need to remind everyone that this story is focusing on how a different history can impact characters so they will react differently.

Enjoy

Tom knew that taking over the Ministry would only be half the task. He knew the workload to maintain their position would be intense. He knew it might even be more difficult than the original takeover.

His eyes had hardly stopped scanning parchment, his quill had barely stopped racing over paper and he had hardly stopped conducting meetings.

He knew he was busier than Bella, but he did not delegate to her. Perhaps it was because he liked controlling everything. Perhaps he did not trust her with the work. Perhaps he did not want to upset her by making her too busy.

He preferred considering the first two points.

His teeth clenched down as his quill halted its dance across the parchment. What was he trying to say? He racked his extensive brain, but there was a wall in place. Cursing at himself for his minor blank it was probably a good, or perhaps a bad time, for someone to rap on his door.

"Come in," he called ramming his quill back into the holder with more force than what was necessary.

The grey haired head of his secretary pocked through his door. She was stern, unattractive and cold, but she was affective and that was why he had hired her. "Lucius Malfoy is here to see you, Mr Riddle."

He was still called Mr Riddle. He was tempted to correct her, but he was not even sure if minister was the appropriate title. Maybe he could soon become Lord Riddle like Grindelwald and Dumbledore. He thought My Lord would suit him.

"Send him in," he said his voice composed despite his previous irritation. It was the mask he had to slide on.

Her head disappeared and her position by his door was replaced as Lucius Malfoy stepped into his office. The man did have his faults, but he was an undeniable asset and, for that, Tom would not complain about his presence.

"Good morning, Lucius," he greeted curtly just as they both preferred. Without a wand, he waved his hand and the chair in front of his desk slid out. "Please, have a seat."

Lucius did not comply. His leather boots that were bordered by intricate silver patterns merely clicked on the polished floor as he approached the desk and rested his starchy black gloves against the back of the chair. "You will have to excuse me, Tom, but I will not be taking up that offer," he said his voice tense as if he was battling to maintain and keep something hidden. Tom noticed the tone and felt his body screaming to snap at the disrespect. He did not act. "I have something to discuss with you."

"Then by all means," he murmured keeping himself calm as his dark blue eyes stared into the stony gaze, "discuss away."

If it was another man he might have taken a long time to come to his point.

That was not Lucius.

"You're having an affair with Bellatrix."

For the first time Tom's emotion slipped onto his face as his grip on his desk tightened and his eyes narrowed. It was difficult to try and restore his composure. He did not need for his mannerisms to be analysed.

"I would assume this accusation is based on fact."

"A part from the display at the Halloween Ball?" Tom mentally cursed Bella for her performance as he waited for Lucius to continue. "Bella confessed to Narcissa the other day."

Tom's anger flared. He did not know if it was aimed at Lucius, Narcissa, Bella or even himself. He had never technically discussed with Bella that their affair should be kept quiet, but he assumed Bella would have the common sense to know it should not be discussed.

Ramming his palms into his desk he stood. He was pleased to know, from his height, he was the one looking down at Lucius. "I assume this conversation has a point. I am not accustomed to discussing my personal life with anyone."

Lucius did not flinch. He only seemed to straighten his posture as he glared back at him. "I do not care about your personal life. What I do care about is the survival of this administration. Gossip is spreading about the possibility of your affair and lest I remind you of how-"

"It does not matter," he snapped back his tone severe but he ensured his volume was level. "Everyone knew Dumbledore and Grindelwald were lovers, but that did not harm their rule."

"Grindelwald's blood was never pure enough to qualify him as a pureblood something which he was no doubt aware of when he drafted that particular law. However, you do not have that luxury. Bella is a pureblood and you are a half blood and if you continue there is a risk you will be caught and-"

"I'm aware," he snapped cutting off Lucius' speech. "While I appreciate your warning, which I will take as a warning and not as something more severe, be assured I will not be controlled and told how to act."

Lucius' eyebrows narrowed dangerously. "Do not be a fool. Just give up the affair. Why risk anything for her?"

It was difficult to stop himself from striking the other man, but he narrowly did. It was hard to know if his anger was produced by Lucius' words or the implications about what he felt. A part of Tom recognised that he was correct; he should not risk anything for her, but he conceded that he was not really risking anything for her. He would merely warn her and assure they were not discovered. As long as there was no proof they were safe.

"I am not risking anything. Nothing will be discovered or proved."

"Just give her up," Lucius tried to reason, "I know you do not love her."

Something inside Tom snapped. As soon as the words left Lucius' mouth, he froze at the word.

He did not love her.

His hand slid into his pocket and, a moment later, his wand was out and pointed directly between Lucius' grey eyes.

"Get out!"

His arm was outstretched and his threat was unyielding.

Lucius was wise enough to listen to reason. With one last cautious glance, he turned on his heel and left with his robe fluttering behind him.

Seething and hissing under his breath, Tom pushed his abandoned chair out from under him. It toppled to the ground with a bang. He ignored the sound and strode across the polished floor before he rammed the door open. It slammed loudly against the opposite panelled wall and caused his secretary to throw him a concerned look.

He ignored her.

Malfoy was wrong. He had to be wrong. He thought about her because he lusted after her. It was the only reason his heart beat so strongly in her presence.

Striding down the corridor at great pace, it only took him a moment to find his target.

The door in front of him was identical to his office door from ever sheen of the wood and engraving in the surface. There was only one exception; the name. He did not even consider it or the blonde secretary who leaped up in shock at his graceless arrival. He ignored her and the courtesy to knock as he merely swept into Bella's room.

Inside it similarly reflected his room. There were a few exceptions. His desk was meticulously ordered with the few papers that were sorted into neat and orderly piles. Bella's was not. Spare ink pots and quills scattered the surface and papers coated the table in an inch thick layer.

Bella was reclining in her chair, leaning onto her back legs as she looked up from the parchment she was reading at his arrival. She must have seen something in his eyes as she stood and took a few steps around the side of the table.

"Tom, what are you-?" Bella murmured more surprised than annoyed as she rested the tips of her hand on the table.

She did not get a chance to say anything else. Reaching her side, he slammed his lips against hers in a breath taking kiss. She gasped against his mouth, but he ignored it as he deepened the kiss and slid his tongue slowly into her mouth and savoured her taste. His other arm looped around her waist and pulled her hips flush against him.

He vowed he did not love her. The glow and joy that roared through him as her legs wrapped around his waist and he rubbed up against her was only produced by the pleasure of the act. He just wanted her as a woman and as an ally. He wanted to take her hard and fast to leave her bruised to prove he could hurt her.

Without caring about the mess on her table he pinned her against the surface as his hands creeped under her skirt and tugged the stockings; probably hard enough to tear the delicate material. Neither party complained. Bella only shuffled out of her clothing and moaned softly as his fingers teased her delicate flesh.

"Wha- What has gotten into you?" she gasped as his fingers slipped inside her. He interrupted her and kissed her again. He did not want to hear her. He wanted to just think about her body. It was easier that way.

Her back arched as she let out a string of wonderful noises as he continued to coarse her with his fingers. Still her hands stretched out and brushed against his flesh that was already hard. His hands withdrew from her and freed himself and did not pause before he pushed inside of her. She stretched around him with a low moan as he thrust up and into her. He must have hit the right place inside of her as she moaned loudly. He tried to pretend her pleasure didn't matter even as her moans made his heart race.

He continued moving into her, his breath coming out in rattles as his hands dug into the side of her hips. She was looking up at him her voice even louder than his as she pulled him closer and rolled her hips up to him. Her body was tightening wonderfully and, when she finally clenched around him in a finally cry, he followed not long after as he collapsed against her.

"I don't know what has gotten into you," Bella murmured softly still resting under him after she had got her breath back, "but I can't bring myself to complain."

It was not what he had come to hear, but he lifted his eyes so he was staring into her gaze. She was beautiful and the hands running up and down his back made him flush. His breath was dry and his heart was still racing and he now suspected it was caused by more than just the pleasure from her body.

Lucius' words echoed in his mind. Staring at her, he wanted to repeat his declaration that he did not love her.

He could not.

Instead he lent down and kissed her softly. His lips lingered over hers as he closed his eyes and accepted the inevitable.

He had been wrong.