:::: Chapter 6 ::::

"This is all? You people live in tents? I guess I haven't been missing anything being a….what was that you call us…uh….oh…smuggles." Toby declared when they have all apparated back to the place that Bella, Rod and Avery has been calling home for the past few weeks. Bella and Rod were both silent, unsure of themselves and the entire situation. Bella's euphoria at seeing the Dark Lord again had been shortened by this loud and obnoxious person who has just been introduced to them as the Dark Lord's half-brother. Bella couldn't help feeling disgusted by Toby. Apart from being rude and self-absorbed, Toby is and truly is the lowest of all creatures in this world: He is a muggle.

Upon arriving, Rod quickly shook Avery who was still sleeping on the couch, rousing him to get up and be on his toes for the good news that both him and Bella had brought. But as Rod was looking at Bella now who stood at the entrance watching with a disgusted look on her face, at Toby who was prancing around the tent looking into the rooms and the furniture and now he yelled out, "Got any brandy?", he didn't think that Bella was really up to telling Avery that they had brought "good" news. So, Rod decided he would do it himself, "Ave! Wake up you git! We made it Ave!! We made it!"

A bleary-eyed Avery woke up looking annoyed. "What?! We made what?! Why are you fucking shouting in my ear Rod?!" Avery was going to go back to sleep so Rod had to do something drastic and quick. He slapped Avery hard across the face. That did the trick for Avery immediately jumped on his feet ready to strike Rod back when Rod grabbed both his shoulders restraining Avery's arms movement and bellowed in his face, "WE'VE FOUND OUR LORD!"

Avery's face immediately changed from a flushed-ready-to-fight face to that of a very surprised person. He looked around at the entrance of the tent to see Bella standing with a bewildered look on her face next to a man who looked very much like the Dark Lord.

It is him!

Avery sank to his knees as he stood before Lord Voldemort. "Mu…mu..my Lord,' he said in disbelief with his hands clasped together as he gazed at Voldemort in awe. 'Forgive me my Lord….I should have been there when you came back….I…"

"Yes…of course…after 10 whole years….I come back to find…only 3 of my followers survived…disappointing." Voldemort muttered in a soft voice but as always, it seemed to be able to command attention from everyone.

"My Lord…forgive us….' Bella went on her knees next to Avery's and also tugged at Rod's cloak so he too would drop to his knees (which he did) less they face the Dark Lord's wrath. 'we tried to find some of the old families but they have all perished in the last battle or….." Bellatrix trailed off, too afraid to reveal the real reason why it had been so difficult to gather supporters.

"Go on Bella. I would like to hear the end of your excuse." Voldemort said. Neither the tone of his voice nor the look on his face has changed. Voldemort prided himself on being "unreadable". It was one of his strengths that enabled him to always come with the element of surprise.

"The…the other families…had refu…refused to join us my Lord." Bellatrix gulped down a lump in her throat. Her voice had grown softer this time.

The Dark Lord was about to say something when Toby interrupted. "Oh come on Tom,' he began. He had found what he was looking for; brandy. Now he stood by the kitchen looking out at the scene before him. 'they already tried to find you, you found them so let's just take it from there. What do you want them to do? Bring your dead followers back from the dead? Good god, I saved your life and they are worshipping you? Sheesh!" he said as he went back into the kitchen to pour himself another glass.

Bella glared at the rudeness of their uninvited visitor. How dare he raise his voice to the Dark Lord! I will kill him!

"No.' The Dark Lord said in reply to Bellatrix's thoughts. She looked up into his eyes which bore into hers, those eyes that she had missed so much that she got lost in them for a moment. He turned on his heel and walked out of the tent leaving Avery, Rod and Bella gaping. They couldn't understand why the Dark Lord could allow such a low life to behave so disrespectfully to him. Rod gave Bella a nudge, motioning her to follow the Dark Lord.

"Go to him Bella." Rod said softly.

Bella looked at him and nodded. He could tell from her eyes she had been dying for this day to come. She gripped his hand which he squeezed back in return and smiled at her encouragingly. She got up and went through the threshold out to the open field where her master is.

She took a deep breath.

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(Voldemort's POV)

A brand new day….Lord Voldemort will rise again. That disrespectful pig will one day feel my wrath…the nerve of him to humiliate me in front of my servants…Things will change…soon….things will change for the better….better for me….

He stood overlooking the lush greenery that spread abundant before him. There were no other houses or roads within miles of here.

They had chosen the right place to hide; there are no houses around….it is not too far from Hogwarts, the place that had almost ended everything and it is also not too far from Little Hangleton…the manor should still be there….

The sun is rising in the horizon as night gives way to the day. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt her presence.

"You look terrible my dear Bella." He said without looking at her.

"I….I'm sorry my Lord…it's just…I haven't found a reason to make myself up when you're not around…my Lord." She said quietly and paused in her tracks. She rubbed her hands together nervously and started consciously dusting herself off when she realized she does look a mess.

He turned around to look at her.

She looks so beautiful….I've forgotten how beautiful she is.

She was still dusting herself when she felt his gaze on her. He had been staring at her and her heart had started to pound faster and when her eye matches his gaze, she stopped breathing, unintentionally of course.

Fear….why is there fear in her eyes? Fear of me? I have taught her well….I was right about her too…she will never disappoint me….well not intentionally. There was of course that incident at the Ministry and….

He held out his hand to her, his eyes not once leaving hers. Forgetting every worry in her heart, she ran into his arms and held him tight as if he would disappear into thin air if she ever let him go. She smiled up at him as he brushed away her hair, gazing into her happy flushed face.

"I missed you,' she whispered into his chest, taking in his scent.

I missed you too.

He didn't say a word, he just held her which was good enough for her. He was never good at sharing emotions and neither is she. He was glad that she does not expect him to behave like all other normal wizards who declare their love and show their emotions. If he had done that, she would immediately lose her respect for him. Their relationship is not like any other on earth. She would be satisfied as long as he treats her above the rest of his Death Eaters. They may have an intimate relationship together but above all, he is her master and she, his servant.

After a while, he finally said, "You have questions for me Bella. Why do you keep it in your heart when you're dying to know the answers?"

She let a moment past before saying, "I…..I just don't want to sound suspicious my Lord. I don't want to upset you,' she finally let him go and turned to face the beautiful sunrise peeking through the horizon. 'After all we haven't seen each other for so long and I just don't want to spoil our first union after so many years." She let out a heavy sigh.

I want to kiss her….she is still so beautiful…

He came up behind her and stood close to her but not touching. "You are my most trusted Death Eater and apparently the only few who would stand by me to the very end. I do not want to keep you in the dark about anything. I allow you to ask me anything you wish."

She smells so wonderful…

"I think you already know….what it is that's weighing on my mind,' she turned around to face him, slightly taken aback by his closeness. She looked up at his lips that were just inches away from hers. For a while, she had almost forgotten what their conversation had been about. Trying to refocus herself, she tried to look away, anywhere that would stop her from thinking about his lips. She finally managed to croak, 'Sebastian."

He looked at her knowing so well what had caused her uneasiness as he smiled to himself. "He is my half brother,' he said with a slight contempt in his voice.

"Your…..he…..is he a…." she said softly, unsure of herself.

Getting her meaning, he replied, "Yes. He is a…a muggle. He is from my…paternal side."

"Why do you….I mean my Lord, forgive me but I'm sure you have a reason why you brought hi here but….why do you let him talk to you like that?" Bella asked, a frown forming on her forehead. This time, it was he who turned away from her.

This is so humiliating…..fuck Sebastian….he is humiliating me….me? The Dark Lord….the one whose name the entire world fears to speak….to be brought down to such a level by a mere…muggle….to have to admit that he is my….

"He must at all cost be kept alive!" His tone had taken a much harsher tone than he had intended. He wanted Bella to ask him anything she wants to but he couldn't help himself. His sudden change had made Bella drop to her knees, begging him for forgiveness.

"Stop it,' he said. 'I am not angry with you. I…get up off your knees Bella you'll dirty your robes."

Silently, she obeyed him, getting off the ground and back on her feet. She decided to not ask him anymore questions that could anger him. She should have known that this is a sensitive issue for the Lord. She'll be miffed too if she had to admit a muggle a part of her family.

"I apologize, my Lord. I shall not ask you anymore. It is not my place to question your judgment.' Bella said quietly as she approached him slowly.

He glanced at her standing next to him before turning to look at the sunrise not saying a thing but inside he thanked her.

'You can tell me anything you like whenever you want to.' Bella said gently, her hands reaching for his, intertwining her fingers with his. She decided to change the subject, 'This is the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen…even better than any other sunrises."

"I'm sure it is…it's a brand new sunrise my Bella. From today onwards, it will be nothing but victory for us. We will avenge ourselves against our enemies and we will triumph."

"They will be so surprised by our return." Bella said, a smile plastered on her face.

"And we shall not deny them of that surprise." He looked down at her, saw that smile on her face and he was further convinced that she is the strongest Death Eater he has ever had.

What would I do without you?

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Ok hope I haven't disappointed anybody with this chapter. I just wanna introduce Sebastian into this fic and also elaborate further on my interpretation of the Bella/Voldy relationship. What do you think? Please review. Thanks very much.