:::: Chapter 20 ::::

Voices roused him from his sleep. Voldemort's eyes fluttered open as he awoke from what had felt like the longest sleep ever. His head felt heavy and his body felt so weak. His eyes darted around the unfamiliar room and after a while, he finally figured out that he was in Faustus' room. The voices that he heard were Bellatrix's and Rodolphus'. They had been so involved in an avid discussion that they had not noticed that Voldemort was awake.

"I don't think it's a good idea to tell the Death Eaters that our Lord is…..is….." Bellatrix was saying but somehow she felt it difficult to finish her sentence.

"But we have to. One way or another, they are going to notice that he had been missing. They will all start to get suspicious. We should just tell them all the truth." Rodolphus tried to reason with Bellatrix who just shook her head fervently.

"No! No! Absolutely not! The only reason why our supporters have increased so rapidly in numbers was because they knew our Lord is here to lead them to victory. If we tell them the truth now, it will be like going back to square one. Now I will not allow you to just let our efforts of trying to revive our cause go to waste just because you feel that way!' Bellatrix was so furious that even Rodolphus had taken a step back for fear of what she might do to him. Between the both of them, Rod knew that Bella was a better fighter than he was. Pissing her off might mean a not so good ending for him so he decided not to go on with the discussion.

"Alright, alright….we won't tell them. So…what are we going to do with him now?" Rodolphus said.

Bellatrix turned away from him, not wanting Rodolphus to see the tear that had started forming in her eyes. "We'll bury him in the yard."

Rodolphus came up behind her, noticing the sudden change in her voice. He knew she was about to cry again. He placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her around to embrace her. "Bella….it's ok. Everything will be alright. He's gone now…for real and he is not coming back, but we still have our lives to live." Rodolphus consoled her.

Bellatrix buried her face in Rod's shoulder as the tears streamed down her face.

"Rodolphus stand back. I'll console her."

Bellatrix and Rodolphus both looked down at the direction where the voice had come from. They both looked so surprised and neither could say anything. Faustus pushed Rod away and hung on to Bella's robes.

Bella stared at her son, standing in front of her clinging on to her robes, only as tall as her waist, surprised at his sudden change in attitude.

"It's ok Mother. Everything will be just fine." Faustus said as he looked up at his mother.

Bella got down on her knees so that she was level with her son. "Faustus? You're alright?" she said as she stroked his cheek and ran her hands through his hair and embraced him tightly.

"I'm fine Mother." Faustus beamed at her and placed a kiss on his Mother's cheek.

"Well,' Rodolphus interrupted as he too got on his knees and placed a hand on Faustus' shoulder. 'my boy, you look good. I told your Mother she shouldn't worry so much about you. You're a tough little man."

Faustus turned around to face Rodolphus with a stare that burnt straight into the depths of his soul. "Of course, I am my father's son after all."

Rodolphus was taken aback by the look on Faustus' face and the way he had placed emphasis on the word 'father'. Though he could not exactly put a finger on what it is that had felt different about Faustus, Rod could feel it. There was a certain rage of Faustus that Rod taught he had actually seen a flame dancing in his eyes when Faustus had turned to face him. Then, he decided to brush it off and decided his mind was playing tricks on him. After all, they are going through a pressurizing time with the Lord's sudden passing and their planned revolution around the corner.

Rodolphus got up off his knees and said to Bella. "I must leave now. There are many things that require my attention. Bella, you and Faustus stay here until I get back. Then we'll try to find out what happened last night. You take care.' Rod said to Bella and turned next to Faustus. 'And you, you'll help me watch your mother until I get back eh?"

"Don't worry. I will care for her." Faustus said with unblinking eyes as he stared at Rodolphus who nodded back at him and left the room.

After Rod had gone, Bella turned to Faustus. "What did you just say?"

Faustus turned around to face her. "I said I will care for you."

"Funny….you sound just like…' she stared into his innocent eyes and couldn't help but smile. 'You've slept throughout the entire day. You must be hungry.' She held both his tiny hands in hers. 'I'll fix you anything you want. Jut name it."

"Well, actually, I'm not really that hungry Be…Mother."

"Are you sure?"

Faustus started to caress her cheek with the back of his hand. "Well, since you insisted, I would just like a cup of co…..a glass of milk."

Bella stared at him with a puzzled look on her face. "Alright, I'll go get it for you. You stay right here till I get back." Bella got up and left for the kitchen.

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(Voldy's POV)

As he watched her left…..

I can't tell her who I am….she'll hate me. She'll find out I had killed Faustus.

I can't tell her just yet….But I've got to make her stay away from Rodolphus…..he will definitely take advantage of my absence…..

I can't have him do that…..

That spell…..I must have been too rash….obviously Faustus was not ready for a spell as strong as that.

But what can I do? I've waited so long to rid myself of my filthy muggle father's blood…..

If Faustus had to be the sacrifice….so be it! I Lord Voldemort shall have no regrets!

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