It had been nearly an hour.
The creaking of the floor boards underneath Bellatrix's weight had begun to irritate him. She had been pacing for the majority of the approaching hour; the dark witch unwilling and at times, unable to tear away her gaze from the sea of photographs that surrounded them. Lucius spent the approaching hour leisurely sitting in one of the high wing back chairs doing his upmost to ignore her. The annoyance of having his time wasted and his sister-in-law's insistent muttering made it difficult.
Each photograph of the mudblood and their master's daughter was a harsh reminder of all she had been promised and denied. The union was a slap in the face. The Dark Lord's family was a sore subject for her and was the topic of conversation whenever she came to the manor to visit Narcissa.
Lucius watched fearing she would drift into a state of derangement. The muttering had grown louder as she paced. He almost felt bad for her. She had sacrificed a great deal of her youth and vitality for the Dark Lord eager to prove she was worthy, just like the young men who bought into his sick vision. Unfortunately, his own years of sacrifice and the scars he bore would not allow him to entertain such an emotion as sympathy and he rolled his eyes. A small part of him was dedicated to getting her to see their master for what he was-a liar.
He had figured that out a year after they had won.
"Bellatrix," he whispered. He called out softly not wanting to startle her. She continued to pace unaware her brother-in-law was in the room.
He stood placing his hand on the head on his cane ready to draw his wand should the need call for him to do so. It was a precautionary move she was even more volatile when her thoughts went astray.
"Bellatrix," he said more firmly and a little louder. She stopped and slowly turned around. Her cheeks damp and eyes red the mascara had created a dark puddle underneath them.
"Why," she hissed. Lucius fought against the urge to roll his eyes. He had seen enough.
He sighed.
"'Why?'" he looked at her curiously waiting a response. She approached and gripped his arms.
"Why her, the mudblood?" she shook him slightly her nails starting to dig into his arm. "He said there was no place for them in this world. Why would he marry one? Sully his blood with one? How…?" she trailed off. "I have given him everything; my youth, my body; I have given my soul and this is how he rewards me," she mumbled. Her grip was becoming uncomfortable.
"Get a hold of yourself and loosen your grip," he hissed looking down at her with disgust. Bellatrix looked down at her hands on his arms and quickly released him. She looked frantic and Lucius was beginning to worry the Dark Lord would make an appearance before the woman had a chance to pull herself together.
"Bellatrix," he gripped her arm with his free hand tightly causing Bellatrix to wince, "this," he gestured toward her with the head of his cane, "is going to get you killed. You may want to join the afterlife sooner than planned but I have no desire to so pull yourself together."
"But he promised…"
Lucius cut her off, "the Dark Lord's promises mean nothing. You see that for yourself."
Her eyes bucked in horror, "how can you say those things about…"
"Wake up!" Lucius ire was growing. "How much have you sacrificed for the cause only for him to turn around and marry the very thing you and I have fought so hard against?"
She remained silent but Lucius could see the wheels were in motion.
"You've comprised your dignity to be used like a Knockturn Alley whore, your husband died in the name of the cause. For his years of service he didn't even get an honorable mention," he paused a moment watching her carefully, "and your baby, Bellatrix. How old would it have been? I assume around sixteen or seventeen."
She stilled; tears once again began to well up in her eyes. Bellatrix searched his face and Lucius could sense the unspoken question, how did he know?
"Narcissa told me. I know about the baby he made you get rid of; did he accompany you to the healer to terminate the pregnancy?" the silence grew heavy; Bellatrix's breathing had become labored.
"Ah, I will take your lack of response as an affirmative on his absence. You my dear are a pawn just like the rest of us. Once you are no longer useful or have fulfilled the Dark Lord's purpose he has no more use for you, and you and I both know what happens to those who are no longer of value if not I would have suggested you ask Yaxley but heads on spikes make bad conversationalists I'm afraid. There was or is nothing special about you. The sooner you realize that the sooner you can move on with your life." He released her wrist; she held onto it letting his words sink in.
Tears continued to roll down her pale cheeks.
"Now, Bellatrix I suggest you pull yourself together and fast. The Dark Lord has no tolerance for such…displays," he gestured as if she was putting on a school play.
She would never say it aloud, but he was right. It was devastating to hear aloud what she already knew to be true. Bellatrix pulled her wand and cast a glamour on herself her mask had slid into place just as the door to the study opened and in walked the man she once would have died for.
Now, she wasn't so sure.
Bellatrix entered her home too emotionally imbalanced to be angry. She had been given her assignment, babysit the mudblood and her half breed daughter. She unceremoniously collapsed into the chair next to the fireplace.
Lucius' words echoed loudly in her mind. Those words were harsh and she clutched her chest. The reality of the situation was beginning to become unbearable.
She had always believed herself to be different; someone the Dark Lord could depend on and in time care about for more than her magical abilities. She had brainwashed herself into believing she was his lover an equal and that once the world was his she would be able to come out of the shadows and he would grant her everything she desired; a child and a place at his side as his wife. A proper consort.
That delusion had been shattered when he took the girl as his concubine and later his wife. The pain was dull and she started to call for her elf thinking she was on the verge of a heart attack but the pain was moving upward until she let out a small cry. She slid to the floor crying and grasping for air between sobs.
It all became too real, her dead husband, the girl, and the wasted years began to hit her all at once. The emotions became overwhelming and the room began to spin as darkness started to cloud her vision.
Lucius arrived home to find his marital bed empty. This was the third night this week that his wife was missing during the latter part of the evening. It had become routine for just over a month. The idea of her having a lover crossed his mind but the idea was quickly dismissed. He was too worn down from chasing ghosts, dead ends and the Resistance. They weren't the Order; this group weren't teenagers fueled by hormones and a desire to do good in the world. The Resistance were made up of harden soldiers. they had known what it meant to lose the battle, from the attacks it was clear they were determine not lose the war.
His lack of progress in making headway into infiltrating the group hadn't boded well for his standing within the ranks.
Lucius sighed his thoughts returning to his wife. For the past two weeks, he tried to fool himself into believing Narcissa was out with friends at some women only soiree but he wasn't naïve. She had a lover, a backup plan in case things took a turn for the worst and the Dark Lord decided he was no longer of any use and he joined Yaxley on the spikes.
Like Bellatrix, he too had an awakening fortunately for him it hadn't taken long for him to realize that he was expendable just like everyone else. When the Wizarding World became under dark wizard's control Lucius was no longer needed in the same capacity as he once was. He soon found out that with their victory the Dark Lord no longer needed a benefactor to finance his grand campaign. The twenty year sponsorship left his accounts in shambles, his pride wouldn't allow him to admit how close his came to financial ruin.
Despite being the Dark Lord's primary benefactor, his position didn't change and Lucius had balked when Yaxley was given the post as Minister of Magic and liaison to the muggle British Prime Minister. Needless to say, Lucius wasn't surprised when only six months ago Yaxley had been deposed by Voldemort himself; the man had sullied relations with the prime minister and half of the chamber of Parliament. Naturally, Lucius had considered himself next in line and was disappointed once again when the coveted post was handed over to Lander Synde.
He hissed.
He needed a drink a summoned an elf. His head had been pounding ever since he had been given his new assignment. Lucius sat heavily on the edge of the bed and gulped down the whiskey causing a pleasant burning sensation to spread throughout his chest. If he ever thought he was at the end it was now. He had gone from one the highest ranking council members to babysitter.
He fell back on the bed in the morning he would round up the house elves and prepare the manor for the arrival of the mudblood and the devil's spawn.
Hermione had been given the news over dinner. She and her daughter were to be kept under the watchful eye of non-other than Lucius Malfoy himself. Her heart sank; she had hoped that she could stay with Ginny and at worst she had hoped to remain in the castle gathering intelligence.
The Dark Lord must have noticed her desponded look and commented as much.
"You seem rather down, I hope my decision has not displeased you," he stated. She noted he seemed irritated.
"No," she thought fast, "I had thought I could be here with you. I don't think it's good to break up the family. What about Michela? The baby? I want to remain at your side not go into hiding like some coward."
She prayed she sounded convincing.
He smiled, "ah, ever the Gryffindor. I am afraid my little lioness that you have no say in the matter and will be settling into Malfoy Manor by the end of the week."
She started to respond but the retort died on her tongue when Voldemort abruptly rose from his chair.
"Bellatrix is also assigned to your detail in addition to Lucius."
Her breath hitched, "Bellatrix? Why her?"
He waved his hand in the air dismissively, "her skills are formidable, you will have two of my best as your guard; don't question my decision," he said with some bite behind the statement. His tone held a veiled warning, "everything has already been done. You can best use your time in preparing you and Michela's things to be moved. I suggest you visit with Lucius tomorrow so you two can iron out the details and accommodations."
He stood up straighter, "now if you are done dear, I have another engagement." He headed for the door.
"This late in the evening," she said to his retreating back. She stood.
He whipped around; Hermione could tell he was seething; she swallowed hard realizing she possibly made a mistake. He approached her slowly.
Voldemort came to a stop in front of her. Hermione refused to break eye contact with him. She felt a sting on the left side of her face. The fact that he had struck her only dawned on her after she had hit the floor.
He kneeled beside her.
She looked up at him she would not be bullied.
"Who is she?" she asked staring him the eyes.
"That is none of your concern."
"I will not be made a fool of; I am your wife and the mother of your children."
He grabbed her hard by the chin, "yes, you are but that can quickly change. I am trying to keep you and my children safe. Do not question me ever again. Now, go to bed and get some rest and tomorrow you will begin to prepare."
He released her and stood, "I will overlook your outburst citing your condition for your lack of respect and discipline. Don't make this a habit; do you understand?"
"You are right, I apologize for my outburst," she stood, "it won't happen again you are doing everything you can to keep us safe."
He nodded pleased with her response; he left without as much as a backward glance. Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. Now, wasn't the time to get emotional she needed to speak with Ginny and update her on the latest development.