'Dark desire burning in my blood now,

How can I be sure? I don't know if I'll be able to fight.

With a tortured soul and an honest design,

My will cannot endure if my heart is torn away...

I was caught up in the moment,

You were alone and seemed to harness the light,

Even though I felt cold inside when you told me it would be alright..,

I had given up control, and I didn't focus hard enough to see

The warning signs, your heart is serpentine.'

"Serpentine" – Disturbed

She said the words, forcing them out reluctantly and pushing down the bile in her stomach. Rose swallowed down the sting of humiliation and another surge of rebellion.

She was not quick enough...her momentary hesitation produced a response from Voldemort.

'Sectumsempra!'

The deadly curse hit Sirius and she screamed as the blood began to pour from him. His chest ripped open and a river of crimson spilled out. Sirius let out a gurgling scream as blood began to pour from his mouth. He was writhing on the floor and she made to move towards him.

'No! Please stop…'

'Crucio!'

Rose curled herself into the foetal position as searing pain flowed through her, causing her to scream. The curse was lifted after what felt like an eternity and her body shook, her screams of agony still echoing in her head. A hand grabbed hold of her hair roughly and she was pulled up into a kneeling position. Her tormentor laughed into her ear and then spoke.

'Look, you stupid whore! Witness what happens when you disobey the Dark Lord.'

Bellatrix moved her face closer and Rose saw the hatred and the madness in her eyes. Taking hold of her chin, Bellatrix forced her to look at Sirius.

There was a crimson pool surrounding him now. He was ghostly pale and his movements were slowing. A cry of distress escaped her lips and panic flooded through her system.

'My Lord.'

Bellatrix bowed and then moved away from her. Rose felt him standing over her but could not look away from Sirius. Voldemort took hold her of her throat, taking her breath from her. Her hands moved to his wrist involuntarily as she tried to pull his hand away from her throat. His grip was tight and she was surprised by his strength as he began to pull her up until she was standing.

'I told you I'm a man of my word, but you didn't listen.'

Voldemort let go of her throat and she almost fell back to the floor but managed to steady herself. She was feeling shaky and light-headed, resting her hands on her knees whilst she inhaled deeply to try to steady herself. The respite was short-lived as his hand grabbed her by the back of her neck and pulled her up again. He was stood right behind her and she could feel his breath against her neck. He turned her back to face Sirius again.

'This is the consequence of your disobedience.'

He was dying. The man she….Sirius was...what was it about him that was so important to her? She couldn't remember. Oh God, does it matter now? He was dying and it was her fault.

'Please! I'm begging you please, my-my Lord, he's dying…'

Voldemort laughed quietly into her ear.

'Do you think that I care? He's nothing to me, except a blood traitor who assisted in protecting you. The life can drain out of him and into my floor. That's how much I care.'

She couldn't stop the tears from spilling out and let out another sob. Without warning Voldemort pushed her away from him and she hit the floor with some force.

'Your tears won't incline me to spare his life, but you know what may do. No hesitation this time and I may consider your request.'

Rose lifted her head and looked at Voldemort. His cold eyes glinted like flint and he smiled his heartless smile. Sirius' life depended on this. He was – damn it! What was so important about Sirius? She inhaled a breath to try and still her emotions.

'My lord, I submit myself to you, body, mind and soul. You are my lord and master and I submit my will to yours.

I am beneath you and unworthy of you in every way. I do not deserve the honour bestowed on me to be mother to your heir.

I beg your forgiveness for keeping myself from you and insulting you with my insolence and foolish pride.

I beg you most humbly to spare the life of this man who only lies dying due to my refusal to follow your commands.

I know I do not deserve your forgiveness and benevolence, but I humbly beg you to show mercy, my Lord.'

She let out a breath...she'd done it, never lowering her eyes from him. Every word burned her insides and she ignored the gloating eyes of the Death Eaters upon her as they revelled in her humiliation. It was a small price to pay to save Sirius' life. She watched as Voldemort smiled magnanimously at her. He moved away from her, pacing around the room, before making his way to his chair and sitting down.

She glanced over at Sirius' almost lifeless form. He had minutes left and she felt the seconds ticking away in her head. She bit her lip and clenched her fists in agonised impatience. Voldemort continued to sit and she could feel his gaze upon her.

Panic began to overwhelm her. Please, please, please! I'm begging you! I'll do anything, anything you ask of me! She screamed the words inside her head over and over.

Voldemort emitted a cold laugh.

'Anything? I will hold you to that, girl.'

'Vulnera Sanentur!'

The blood flow from Sirius' body ceased but Rose could not let herself breath again. He was still deathly pale with a river of blood surrounding him.

'Vulnera Sanentur!'

Voldemort said the words again and Rose watched as the blood began to reverse its flow and retreat back into Sirius' body. The opening on his chest began to knit together and he stirred, letting out a moan of pain. Thank God!

'No girl, you have me to thank, not God. Come here.'

Rose managed to raise herself up from the floor, despite the trembling throughout her body and the weak feeling in her legs. She stood and walked her toward Voldemort. He did not speak but gestured toward the floor and she lowered herself onto her knees.

'Dolohov, Lucius, take the blood traitor out of my sight. McNair, take Muggleton with yourself and Fenrir and release him and his daughter. He has fulfilled his obligation to me.'

Fenrir emitted a low growl of disappointment and Voldemort smiled,

'Do not worry Fenrir, you shall be rewarded with some other sweet, young flesh for your restraint.'

Fenrir bowed and grinned.

'Thank you, my Lord.'

Voldemort inclined his head, then raised a hand in dismissal to his remaining followers.

'The rest of you may leave us now.'

Rose turned to see Sirius' body being floated out by Lucius and Dolohov. Please, let him live, she thought, not caring if Voldemort heard her.

'Did I say you could turn around? I suggest you return your gaze to the floor before I change my mind about sparing the blood traitor!'

Rose turned back around instantly and fixed her eyes on the floor. She didn't want Sirius' death on her conscience...he'd helped and protected her. Still she had the nagging feeling there was something else about him that was important to her, but whatever it was eluded her.

The remaining Death Eaters bowed low and retreated, but Bellatrix hesitated, staring at Voldemort with longing.

'My Lord.'

Rose heard the breathy, girlish tone of Bellatrix.

'Good night, Bella.'

Voldemort's tone forbade further reply and Bellatrix knew it well.

'Thank you for your assistance with the mission tonight...you are a most faithful and valuable servant to me.'

Bellatrix bowed low once more and reluctantly departed. They were alone. She was alone... with him. The silence felt oppressive and all she could hear was her breathing and her heart thumping in her chest. She continued to stare at the floor.

'Look at me, girl.'

Rose looked up at him without hesitation and he smiled at her.

'I'm pleased to see you learn quickly.'

He stared at her expectantly.

'Now, Is there something else you need to say to me?'

She let out a breath.

'Thank you my Lord for sparing the life of the blood traitor. I do not deserve your compassion and neither did he.'

Voldemort laughed.

'An excellent reply. I see that you could rival Lucius for eloquent speeches.'

He stared at her for some time and his gaze made her feel so uncomfortable that she had to look away.

'Stand up.'

He gave his order and Rose pushed herself up from the floor again but her eyes remained focused on the floor.

'Stop looking at the floor and look at me.'

She did as he ordered, hating herself for doing so.

Voldemort got up from his chair and began to move toward her. He was studying her, his eyes raking over her body as he began to circle around her. She felt like a slave must have done as they were appraised by their new master.

He came to a stop standing directly in front of her, looking her up and down. His fingers touched her clothes and a look of disgust appeared on his face. His expression made her feel uncomfortable...she was wearing a pair of denim shorts and an old, faded vest. Her hair was tied up in a knot and she was barefoot.

'Untie your hair.'

Rose swallowed and then reached upwards, pulling the band out of her hair. It fell down onto her shoulders, tangled and messy. Voldemort reached out a hand and let his fingers trail through her hair. She winced when his fingers were halted by a knot of tangled hair, but he continued to try to force his fingers through the strands, not caring that he hurt her.

He let go of her hair and then his fingers gripped her chin. He turned her face from one side to the other, studying her. He released his hold and spoke again.

'You have kept me waiting for far too long, Rose Greenwood and now that you are here, I find myself a little disappointed.'

The sound of her name on his lips made her stomach contract and his words caused her to feel self-conscious and at disadvantage.

'I'm - I'm sorry, my Lord.'

She hated herself for saying it but she sensed it was what he wanted. Rose clenched her fists without realising it, her body betraying her real feelings.

Voldemort tilted his head slightly and let out a noise of disdain.

'You should be. Your attire and your appearance is far from satisfactory for such an occasion. I expected better.'

His words heaped more humiliation upon her and she had to fight down the anger that was balling up inside her. He began to move again until he was behind her once more. She shivered as his fingers made contact with her skin when he took hold of her hair again, pulling it back from her neck and placing it over her shoulder.

'Your apology is only a small step in your atonement to me...'

His fingers moved softly over her neck and shoulders.

'I can be a magnanimous master if you obey me...have I not already proved it?'

His body was pressed lightly against back and his mouth was by her ear.

'I could have let the blood traitor die on my floor, but your eloquent pleas and submission convinced me to show mercy.'

Rose felt her arousal at the closeness of his body and tried to repress it.

'This situation need not be difficult and unpleasant, but enjoyable for us both. All you have to do is yield yourself to me.'

His long fingers trailed down her arm and a shuddering breath escaped her. She had thought she would be repelled by him in the flesh. But whilst his appearance was frightening, the desire she'd felt for him in her dreams remained. Voldemort laughed at her thoughts.

'Your body betrays you girl, it craves my touch and you cannot hide it.'

His voice was gentle and teasing now and it washed over her, causing a fluttering sensation in the pit of her stomach.

'Admit it. All those nights that I came to you in your dreams you showed me your true self...that you wanted me...that you are mine.'

'No.'

She cursed herself the moment she'd said it, but the rebellious part of her wanted to be heard...she hated those words. You're mine. As if she was a possession.

Before she knew it he was facing her again, his nails digging in to her cheeks.

'No? Your obstinacy is futile and it will not be tolerated. You are mine and always have been.'

He let go of her face with some force, causing her to stumble. Rose steadied herself, watching as he walked away from her.

'Tell me, do I really need to command my followers to bring back the blood traitor to teach you the wisdom of obeying me?'

Rose stopped breathing and her anger was extinguished. Her legs gave way and she dropped to her knees.

'No...please...not that...please don't...'

Voldemort turned back toward her and stood over her. She raised her head to look into his serpentine eyes and they scrutinised her for a moment before he spoke.

'I thought as much. Now, is there something you wish to say to me again?'