Rodolphus

Frowning in concern and disbelief at the way his Master treats his beautiful, beautiful wife, Rodolphus shares a quick couple of glances with Lucius.

He isn't just imagining it, then.

The Dark Lord twists a black, long curl around his thin, bony finger, and Bellatrix appears flustered and flushed from the closeness they are at. Colour rises in her cheeks. Rodolphus is sure that she can feel his cold breath on her face, and though she seems just slightly uncomfortable, both men are aware it is only because she knows her Lord is able to change his mood – he is able to kill her before she can register what is happening.

Bella smiles weakly at something he murmurs in her ear, her eyes full of fear, lust, confusion.

Suddenly - and the male Death Eaters feel their eyes widen - the Dark Lord's lips kiss Bella's neck. His hands slide – slowly, slowly – down her curving body, and they each know his – perhaps passionate – plans for the evening.

He starts to nibble at her skin delicately, and she is frozen; she does not know what to do – refuse and be punished, mocked and humiliated? Or allow him to continue and betray her husband?

Obviously the Dark Lord takes her silence for acceptance, and pulls her out of view from Rodolphus and Lucius' sight.

They do nothing to stop it.

They can not.

Rodolphus feels as though his heart has shattered. He begins to silently cry. How could she do this to him? Had he not been faithful to their marriage? Or maybe, he wonders, it is punishment for not at least attempting to lead her away from this dark life?

It is punishment enough: he collapses, only seeing a blurry slither of white-blonde hair – and the rest is darkness.