:::: Chapter 27 :::::
Note: Everything in this chapter are Bella's recollection of the party.
After the party, Bella thought over the night's events that had most interested her as she sat brushing her hair at her dressing table.
In her mind In her mind In her mind In her mind In her mind In her mind In her mind
"There are 4 new leaders whose countries have joined our cause, Germany, Hungary, Japan and Netherlands,' Voldemort had said to her. 'I want you to keep a close eye on the heads of these countries and other faction heads. Do not use Occlumency on anyone here. We do not want them to know that they are under suspicion. Remember Bella, our closest allies are…."
"Russia, Norway, Spain and Bulgaria." Bella had finished the sentence for him.
"Good. Now, you know how the saying goes, 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' Always remember that Bella."
"Yes, my Lord." Bella replied. As she now let go of his arm to mingle with the crowd, she was first approached by head of the Russian Death Eaters, Anton Biskhov as she was admiring the hall's decorations.
This place looks magnificent. This really is real…..it feels like the last time when we were this successful….everyone's pureblood, the atmosphere in the air is sanguine…..of course only with very different people……
"The Dark Lord was right to choose you as his companion. Not only are you beautiful, I heard that you are an excellent dueler too." Anton said, interrupting Bella's thoughts.
"Anton, it has been a while hasn't it? How are you?" Bella said as she smiled at him.
Anton Bositnov
Russian and has been with the Death Eaters for 4 years now….I remember….hasn't changed much I see…..still the ugliest man I've ever met…. short, squatty middle-aged bald….ugh…. I can't believe such a brilliant mind could reside in all that ugliness…..
"I heard about your son's tragic passing. I offer you my heartfelt condolences." He said
with his right hand across his left chest. He wobbled a little as he did.
"Thank you, Anton. It was tragic but I'm trying to move on."
"Yes, so I have heard. The Dark Lord is most wise in allowing you to join in our ranks again so you could forget your sorrows. I heard you were quite a formidable leader?' Anton said with a tiny glint in his eye. He raised his glass in a manner of toasting and said, 'Well, here's to our future collaborations. I hope you are as merciful as you are beautiful." He gulped down the remaining contents of his glass and moved towards the bar for a refill without awaiting Bella's answer.
I think the only trouble we'll have with him is with his drinking problem.
Hans Dietrich
Now this is someone I could definitely work with….he looks reliable enough and we hit it off so well….he couldn't be the one we have to worry about….
"Oh no, my Lady. I am not married. I have no desire to devote myself to anyone else but the Dark Lord. Having a wife and kids would be nothing but distractions that could lead to failure and if you know me well enough, I am someone who cannot tolerate failures. I believe that is something that the Dark Lord and I share….."
No…he can't be the one we have to be worried about. We've been talking for 15 minutes and not once did he care to stop and mention how beautiful I look in this dress….Look out Bella, you may have a rival in love.
The partying stops all of a sudden. Bella turns around to glance up at the top of the stairwell where the Lord is standing and everyone does the same. Silence reigned throughout the room as everyone listened intently as the Dark Lord announces his "New Movement".
He looks so….so…powerful and….and strong……I'm am the luckiest bitch in the world….fuck off Hans.
"This is the ancient scripture that was created by my honorable ancestor, the great Salazar Slytherin himself. It is our answer to a 'clean' society. This scripture itself, gives us the power to wipe out all the undesirables that roam this Earth, unworthily prancing around within our ranks. Unfortunately, the great Salazar Slytherin did not manage to complete the scripture. For now, it is useless but be glad to know that in time, I myself will complete his work and then, endless power awaits us all."
Applause rang through the silent hall as everyone smiled gleefully to themselves and to each other.
This is definitely a different group of people we are dealing with, usually there would be whoops and cheers….this crowd is all business.
"For now, my most trusted followers, we will continue on with our mission to spread our beliefs. Our society has been stained, tainted by the rampant mix of half-bloods and muggles and myriads of other undesirable groups who are trying to take away our way of life. '
'Why it was only recently that I heard that the muggle government of which country I shall not mention, has made law that us wizards and witches should make ourselves known to the public for the purpose of 'transparency' they said.' Voldemort gave a chuckle while his devoted audience too flashed smiles and some even a laughter out of sheer respect for their great leader.
'I would say they are all threatened by us and I believe they should. We are the stronger race….we can do things that no other creatures walking on this wonderful world of ours could. And because of that my fellow followers,' he took a moment, raised his glass high in the air and said,
'I would like to give a toast, to future rulers of the New World many of whom are standing right in this very room." He brought his glass to his lips as loud cheers accompanied the end of his speech.
The crowd was overjoyed as if their mission has already been accomplished. For the first time, Bella actually felt like she was gathered with the old families again. Deep inside, Bella actually does miss them. They were the only people Bella actually felt higher and more powerful. With the new crowd, Bella somehow felt inadequate, she just could not compete with the brilliant minds that have gathered here today. These people are not just purebloods, they hold very important positions within their own governments making them the best strategists the world could produce.
Oh well….I should look at this as an opportunity for me to improve myself….I have the best minds bring the knowledge that I would need to me…..this should not be a bad thing……
Bella glanced around as she too caught the excitement in the air and couldn't help but laugh along happily with the crowd. She glanced up at him still standing on the top of the stairs and found him looking at her.
"You gave a wonderful speech." Bella sent to him.
"Thank you my sweet. You are happy?" he sent back.
"Very. I haven't had this much fun in years."
"Come and dance with me." He sent.
"With pleasure, my Lord."
Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality Reality
She gave a girlish laugh at the reminder of the dance he had shared with her. After that, he danced with her all night, introduced her to even more faction heads and danced with her again and again. Later she soon realized that no one had dared to ask her to dance for fear that they might offend the Dark Lord. Everyone must have noticed that the Lord never let Bella leave his side throughout the rest of the party. When Bella had tried to mingle around with the crowd as the Lord has asked of her, he himself would always pull her right back to his side.
Bella smiled to herself as her mind again took her back to the party.
In her mind In her mind In her mind In her mind In her mind In her mind In her mind
Oh….there's Rod….
Bella thought as she saw Rodolphus wrestling with the crowd trying to get to her.
He must be doing very well.
Everyone Rod had passed would stop him, said their hellos, giving him a clap on the back, congratulating him. It seems Rod made quite an impression as the Dark Lord's top Death Eater on the other followers. She felt a sudden ache in her heart for something she wasn't even sure of. It must have been only a few weeks that they had not seen each other and yet, Bella missed him more than she dared to admit. She waved back at him as she stood leaning by the bar with her drink in her hand.
"Hey you!" Rod said as he beamed at her when he finally reached her.
"Hey you back." Bella said as she reached out to embrace him.
After they let go of each other, Rod held her shoulders and surveyed her. "Are you ok?"
"Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be? Tonight is the night I've been waiting for all my life! He's finally allowed me to come back.' She replied him with a big smile plastered on her face as she glanced around at the happy crowd of people in the hall. 'And you,' she said playfully pushing his left shoulder. 'I see you're doing very well."
"Well, yes, you know the Dark Lord is always generous to his servants,' Rod said eyeing her as he took a sip of his drink. 'Are you sure you're alright?" he asked her again.
"Oh don't be stupid Rod! Why do you keep asking me that? I'm fine! What could possibly be wrong?" she said with a frown, annoyed by his constant questioning.
Why?! Why is it that he could always feel it when I'm upset but he just can't understand that I'm trying to avoid it?!
"Rodolphus…..' a woman that could not be any older than 30 said in very sweet sing-song voice with an accent. She came over to where Bella and Rod were standing and placed a hand on Rod's shoulder. 'Naughty, naughty Rodolphus. You haven't danced with me all night!" she said, wagging a finger at Rod and making a face like a spoilt child.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry honey I've just been so busy I didn't mean to neglect you at all,' Rod said in a tone that Bella knew so well. A tone he used when he was with one of his 'girls'. Rod turned to Bella and continued. 'Bella, I'd like you to meet our Spanish counterpart, the lovely Miss Aurelia Flores. Aurelia, this is….." Rod was just about to finish when Aurelia interrupted him.
"The Dark Lady herself.' Aurelia nodded her head to Bella as a sign of respect. 'An honor, my Lady." She said, her accent more apparent than before.
Bella wasn't sure how to react to this. Sure she was used to all the other faction heads bowing to her and treating her with respect but this? This person standing before her, whom Rod had just introduced her to is the head of their Spanish faction. All this time, Bella prided herself on being the only female Death Eater but now, it looks like she might just have a rival; a beautiful one no less with a beautiful willowy figure, skin as smooth as silk, big almond-shaped brown eyes and lips as red as blood. Bella hated her on sight.
"Well I hate to interrupt your conversation which is no doubt important. But this is a party my Lady. Surely you can set business aside for one night and just, let your hair down," Aurelia said as she smiled from Bella to Rod.
"Oh no, I'm afraid you're mistaken. The Dark Lady is not at all a square, why she is a party animal. You see Bella and I are discussing other…." Rod couldn't finish again as he was interrupted by Aurelia.
"Oh good! Then you don't mind terribly that I borrow Rodolphus for just a little while my Lady?" Aurelia said with her sugar-sweet voice.
"Not at all, he's all yours." Bella said.
"Oh thank you, my Lady. Enjoy the party!" Aurelia said as she pulled Rod into the crowd and Bella could no longer see them.
I could just kill her!
Just as she was about to go after them, Voldemort grabbed her elbow pulling her to him.
"Where have you been?' the Dark Lord said as Bella spun around to look at him. 'I've been looking all over for you."
Bella blinked a few times, quite surprised by the way he is acting. "I was mingling, my Lord. Like you asked me to?" she reminded him.
"You certainly don't look like you have been talking to anyone! Now come with me." He said as he placed his arm around her waist and guided her across the crowd which automatically parted to give way to the golden couple. For a while, Bella felt as if she was walking on air.
So this is how it feels like to be his Dark Lady…..I had almost forgotten…..its been so long since he last allowed me to join a party like this.
Bella smiled to herself, lost in her thoughts she didn't even realize they were walking past the crowd and out onto the balcony now as he shut the French doors behind him. It was the feeling of the cool night air gently caressing her skin that suddenly made her aware of where she is.
She turned around to see him walking over to her. For a moment, she suddenly felt a need for him to grab her and kiss her, overwhelmed suddenly by his entire presence.
"Have you talked to any of our faction heads yet?" he asked her.
"Yes… yes I have,' Bella said, feeling a pang of disappointment.
Can't this wait?
'I talked to Saal Roemer, head of our Dutch counterpart." She paused.
"Well?"
"He asked if we could move our headquarters to the Netherlands. He said it would be easier for him to spend time with his family."
He stared at her. "Bella what's the matter with you?"
"What?" she asked him, shrugging her shoulders.
"Do not waste my time Bella!' his voice raised slightly as he stood over her. 'If this is all the news that you can give me than I might as well award the responsibility of this mission to someone else.
Yeah…to someone like Aurelia Flores.
He stared into her face knowing very well something was bothering her.
'What are you thinking?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all my Lord. I was just recollecting tonight's events, the people whom I talked to and if there was anything of importance that I should let you know about." She said as she moved away from him, trying to avoid his gaze.
"Don't lie to me Bella. I know you too well. You haven't really talked to anyone like I asked you to have you?" he said as he followed her.
"Well, it's not my fault!' Bella said in an unintentionally raised voice. 'My Lord, I was trying to do what you asked of me. You told me to mingle around, keep an eye on the appointed heads but you always pull me back to your side. I didn't get a chance to talk to anyone."
"Well is that why you're upset? Because I wanted you by my side?" Voldemort asked as he raised his chin.
"No, I didn't say that my Lord."
"You insinuated. You prefer that things go back to how they were before? You sneaking into my room when everyone is gone?"
"No! No, my Lord,' she turned around to face him. 'There could be no higher pleasure for me than to be by your side. I'm sorry, my Lord. I was being an ingrate.' Her voice softened. 'I only wanted to do the best for you my Lord."
He took a few steps forward so that they stood only inches away from each other. He regarded her silently for a while and finally said, "On account that tonight is such a joyous celebration of our successful return, I am willing to forget your rudeness and disgraceful failure." He said with finality in his voice. He was about to leave her when he suddenly turned back around and took something out of his pocket.
He didn't say a word as he took her right hand and placed a small black velvet box into her hand and left.
Her eyebrows knitted, confused by his actions. Slowly, she opened the black box he had placed in her hand. He eyes widened with shock and her heartbeat quickened.
It was a ring.
THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE
Hiya people! It's been a long time since my last update. I hope this chapter is worth your wait. Thanks everyone =)