Chapter 40

"Run through this with me again Flores,' Voldemort said in a tone that seemed as though he was talking to himself rather than to her.

"We—we were being paired up as per Rodolphus' usual practice,' Aurelia repeated herself again for the 3rd time. This time she did not need to think back to that event, the recollection of it simply rolled of her tongue as if she had been practicing it. And yes she has.

'I was being paired up with Rodolphus so I-' she was cut off by her Lord again.

"And so you would be with him the whole time?" again he said in that same distant tone without looking in her direction.

"Yes my Lord, but we were trapped. The whole thing was a set up. Most of the time, I have had to fight the Aurors alone and I didn't notice where the other Death Eaters were as like I told you before… I had passed out. I would have done anything to….."

"Enough. You may go." Voldemort said, a tone of finality clear in his voice.

Aurelia blinked with surprise as she did not expect the Dark Lord to only want her there for a recount of the event which she has already told him for like the 5th time over two separate occasions. However, she knew when she was asked to shut up and when she should just take her leave. She stood up noiselessly, bowed in the Dark Lord's direction and mumbled "Thank you, my Lord."

Glimpsing over to Avery who has been sitting quietly at the corner of the room, she nodded to him which he did the same in return, and walked out of the den. The room was still silent after she had left. Avery knew better then to speak without being asked. Clearly, the Dark Lord must not have been in a good mood. In a time span of 1 week, he has lost his safe and Salazar's scripture and now, he finds out that his most trusted most powerful Death Eater had betrayed him. Avery knew although he would be damned if he were to admit it to anyone that the Dark Lord clearly favors Rodolphus over himself.

With all these thoughts running to his head, he had almost missed the Dark Lord's question to him. "What do you make of that Avery?"

"I, my Lord?' He was slightly taken aback by Voldemort's question as he had thought that things were already as clear as daylight. But, he has to prove himself to the Dark Lord. This is his only chance to win the Dark Lord's favor now that Rod is gone.

"Yes. Do you think that Flores is telling the truth about Lestrange? That he had had the never to betray me?"

"My Lord, I have always thought that Rodolphus was acting peculiar. He actually tried to create disparity within our ranks by believing the words of houselves that Dietrich, head of our German faction could actually have stolen your safe. Blah! We all know how loyal Dietrich is! I'd spoken to him my Lord. He does not seem to me at all the type that would betray you."

"I see. This is your view Avery? Yes?" Voldemort said again, this time his posture was more relaxed as he leaned back in his chair, a distant look in his eyes and his finger drawing unknown invisible patterns in the air.

"Yes my Lord I—"he continued but then was rudely interrupted by his other adversary apart from Rodolphus, who else but the deranged Bellatrix Black.

"Dietrich's a bloody traitor!' Bella announced as she entered the den. 'My Lord, I have done it! I have captured the first traitor amongst our top faction heads. He is here now unconscious and locked up in the dungeon. He tried to help the Potter kids escape."

The Dark Lord still sat in his chair as if he had not heard her. Bella was silent for a while not knowing if he had and when he chuckled, she knew he did hear her.

"What was it that you were saying, Avery?"

Immediately Bella turned around. She had not noticed him sitting there in the corner of the room. Bella looked from the confused Avery to the Dark Lord who was sitting I a manner as though he was alone in the room.

"My apologies, my Lord. I hadn't realized that there was anyone else in the room." Bella said.

"No.…no….you came in just in the right moment. Avery was just about to share with us his thoughts on Hans Dietrich,' the Dark Lord said and this time, he turned his chair around so that he was facing the both of them. 'What were you saying about him Avery? Please continue."

Avery was obviously shocked and surprised by Bella's news that he started to stammer. In Bella's head, she kept telling herself that indeed, she had been right about Avery, he is simply a very stupid person.

"I…I was just saying, my Lord…that….Hans…I mean Dietrich- he was…I was… suppose….. I was wrong."

"Hmmm, very interesting indeed. Avery, you see for yourself why I would not put you on top?"

It felt like a thousand daggers attacking his body, just slicing his flesh and at the same time he was trying to grapple at the tiniest bit of pride that he has had left. "I…. forgive my ignorance my Lord. I was blind,"

"Yes you are. Now, if you would just see to it that our new guest in the dungeon is settled in comfortably? I might want to go down and have a chat with him later." Voldemort said sarcastically to a now red-faced Avery.

"Of course, my Lord." He said bowing as he left the room.

"What was that about?" Bella asked him after Avery had left and shut the door behind him.

"Avery was just discussing Dietrich's performance. Come and sit Bella." Voldemort said as he gestured to her to sit across the table from him.

"You've done your task well. I'm proud of you." He said and Bella could not look away from his gaze. There was just some hypnotic power there that just keeps her from turning away.

"You were upset with me though,' she said softly. 'I'm sorry. I never intended to make you look bad in front of anyone,' she paused but then her eyes lightened up as a thought came across her mind. 'But you can punish me."

Perhaps, she had said that too eagerly and Voldemort had not missed it. He came up to her, his finger tracing her jaw.

"What have you found out for me my sweet? What made you accuse Dietrich?" he asked without looking at her but instead following his own finger tracing the well defined features on her face.

"I found out that he had blasted a cell door open, my Lord." Bella whispered, she could hardly focus her mind anymore. He was just the sweetest distraction.

"And what were you doing down there?"

"I was - taking your advice on venting out my anger on someone. I went down there to pay Potter a visit. Luckily I was there at the right time or,' she gulped as his finger went lower, tracing her shoulder bones. 'Dietrich would have managed to let our fucking VIPs to escape."

"I see,' he began caressing her bare chest with the back of his hand. 'Has he talked yet?"

"No…..no my Lord….I…. haven't spoken to him yet. I knocked him out. I just thought….' He was coming on dangerously close to her more sensitive upper regions. 'I thought if you have the time…..you might want to watch while I make him talk."

"Of course. I'd love to."

And then she came.

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 THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE

This update fast enough? Please don't expect me to keep going at this rate. Just that for the past two days I've been having a lot of time in my hands. Still hope you enjoy it! Shout out to Inkfire. Thanks for all your reviews really appreciate you support. As for everyone else, of course I love you too! XxX!