A/N: Here is your longy chapter! It's three and a half pages in my notebook, so yay!

Chapter Eight

Snape PoV

"Hello, Severus," she said, apparating before me.

But that was impossible, this was Hogwarts.

"I know which side you're working for," she continued.

What? How? I'd been so careful...

Going on, she asked, "Do you mind if I join you? The light side is just so dull, and Voldy seems to be the only able to handle me. Let's not tell him about my abilities at first though, okay? We'll tell him when it's necessary, or demonstrate for him tonight if need be."

Surprising myself, i smiled. "Let's go," I told her, and threw some Floo powder into the fireplace, calling out, "Riddle Manor!" as I pulled her into the green flames.

Arriving, she looked around in wonder. "Sev, this is amazing!"

"Don't call me Sev," I said.

She grabbed my hair and kissed me roughly.

"Don't tell me what to do," she growled.

We walked through halls, down corridors, and up stairs until we reached a large anteroom. This was the room where the Dark Lord grants audiences with his followers, if he chose to do so.

When we stepped into the room, black smoke curled upwards. The smoke formed itself into Voldemort, who was wearing his usual scowl on a pale, snake-like face.

I bowed low to the floor, respectfully. I gave Bella a meaningful look to do the same, but she gave me her own look, as if to say, "I don't bow down to anyone, and I don't plan on doing it any time soon."

Voldemort did not like being spited like that. Scowling truned to growling, and he drew his wand from his sleeve. "Crucio!" he shouted. I saw Bella flick her fingers before she clutched her stomach and screamed in what was either pain or a very good replica of it. Then, she straightened up.

"Just kidding," she said cheerfully. This angered Voldemort to an immeasurable degree.

"Avada-" Bella rolled her eyes, "-Kedavra!" Her left eye twitched, and the encroaching green fire turned tail to swirl menacingly around its original owner. It dissipated into mist and then disappeared.

Voldemort looked at her, not with fear or anger, but with calculation. "What is your name, girl?" he asked, sounding genuinely interested.

"Bella," she replied with a smirk.

"Well then...Bella. Welcome to the ranks."

The door to the anteroom opened, and in the doorway stood-

"Bellatrix LeStrange!" Bella exclaimed. She went over to Bellatrix and shook her hand frantically. "It's like meeting a celebrity! I admire your work. My name's Bella, by the way."

Bellatrix smiled, and said, "My Lord, would you allow me to duel this new recruit?"

"No," Voldemort said flatly.

"Oh, c'mon, Tom, don't be such a spoilsport," Bella chastised. Voldemort began to lift his wand, but Bella raised her eyebrows at him. He sighed angrily, growling out, "Very well, have your duel. The forfeit word is 'snake.'"

Bella rolled her eyes. "Of course it is," she mumbled.

Bellatrix drew her wand, but Bella didn't bother reaching for hers.

"Begin," proclaimed Voldemort.

Bella disappeared. A voice cam from behind Bellatrix: "Over here!" Suddenly, a horde of clones surrounded Bellatrix from every side, laughing at her in unison.

Bellatrix picked one at random, sending her spell flying with a yelled "Crucio!" Every Bella screamed and collapsed - except for one.

"Psyche!" she laughed, and snapped her fingers. Bellatrix fell to the ground in convulsions, barely holding back screams.

"Snake," Bellatrix gasped out.