Chapter Two: The Student
Christmas 1968,
Bellatrix gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her black eyes gleaming. Perhaps it was the two glasses of champagne she had consumed, but more likely, it was the bitterness coursing through her. She peeled off her black gloves and washed her hands, taking her time. She had no desire to join the dining room. The Black Manor was once again becoming stifling. She could hear her mother's high-pitched laughter, her uncle's deep voice, and her aunt's shouts at Sirius.
He had probably caused yet another mess. A faint smile flickered across Bellatrix's face. Then she busied herself with drying her hands. Her gaze lingered on her bare arms revealed by the little black dress she wore. Walburga and her mother had looked disapprovingly at her when they saw her dressed like that, but Bellatrix was seventeen now and enjoyed the right to dress as she pleased.
Her white skin, free of any scars, irked her. She had been able to gaze at leisure at the mark adorning Rodolphus's arm. That grim skull vomiting a serpent that coiled and uncoiled in the thin skin of his forearm. The first time she had glimpsed the mark, jealousy had engulfed her unimaginably, and she couldn't help but send him some malicious spells afterward. Rodolphus had avoided her for days.
Lord Voldemort had made Rodolphus a Death Eater at the end of his schooling last July. Other former Slytherin students had been marked as well. The soldiers of Lord Voldemort whom Bellatrix knew were not numerous. She knew she must be around many of them, but it was extremely difficult to know who was a Death Eater and who was not. Without the tattoo, Bellatrix would probably never have believed Rodolphus.
How could Lord Voldemort have wanted Rodolphus in his ranks? True, the young man was not stupid and praised the Dark Lord, but Bellatrix found him so weak. He had enlisted out of tradition. After all, his father was a Death Eater too, and it was only natural to offer his son to the Dark Lord now that he was of age to be useful to him. Rodolphus shared the Dark Lord's ideas, but he lacked the passion or fervour to prove his worth.
Bellatrix could never forget the one and only encounter she had had with Lord Voldemort. She remembered his smile, his scent, and his bewitching gaze. She remembered every detail precisely.
Lord Voldemort had obsessed her in recent years. She was now in her final year of schooling, and she had not had a moment to be bored, but the memory of the Dark Lord had not given her any respite. She longed so much to cross paths with him again one day, but she wondered more and more if it was just a futile dream after all.
The Dark Lord was even more discreet than before. His name began to be whispered with fear in the streets of the wizarding world. The presence of a wizard with terrifying powers had not escaped general attention. Bellatrix suspected that Lord Voldemort was reserving a spectacular entrance for himself. He was building a valiant army woven by influential wizards before taking control. Bellatrix burned with desire to be part of his army, to be in the front row when the power of the Dark Lord descended upon the world.
She blamed herself terribly for not being more alert the time she had met him. She hadn't even opened her mouth! The Dark Lord must have considered her so lowly. A brainless, awkward, and ill-mannered idiot. But above all, he had seen in her only a future mother. Just a woman.
Bellatrix knew that the only reason why Voldemort had come to Grimmauld Square that evening was to give his approval to Reginaldus Lestrange, one of his oldest Death Eaters, to marry his son. Lord Voldemort had a say in every alliance in the families of his Death Eaters. After just a few seconds, he had indicated to Lestrange Sr. that he accepted the engagement of Rodolphus and Bellatrix. The young girl couldn't help but wonder if this meant he had liked her or if, on the contrary, he had found her useful only for the task of giving an heir to the Lestrange family. Merlin knew how much Bellatrix hated that idea.
Bellatrix sighed heavily and then left the bathroom. When she reentered the dining room, the atmosphere had cooled down a bit. Regulus and Sirius were no longer at the table, which surely explained this sudden calm. Her two sisters were whispering to each other at one end of the table while her uncle and Rodolphus's father were discussing unpleasant business matters concerning some Mudbloods who worked at the Ministry of Magic.
The Lestrange family was always invited to the grand dinners now that Bellatrix and Rodolphus were engaged. Bellatrix sat next to Rodolphus, who was literally devouring her with his gaze. Since September, they hadn't seen each other once. Bellatrix had to return to Hogwarts, and Rodolphus had devoted himself entirely to the cause of Lord Voldemort.
"When will we have the opportunity to talk?" Rodolphus asked in a low voice, his breath trailing down Bellatrix's neck.
She looked at him with irritated eyes.
"What on Earth would you like to talk about?"
"About us, of course!"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. Rodolphus had been courting her incessantly since their engagement. At first, he showered her with gifts, but seeing that it didn't work, he set out to impress her. A true king at Hogwarts, he had become even more presumptuous and arrogant than ever. It wasn't until the day he caused a Gryffindor to fall down the spiral stairs of the Astronomy Tower that Bellatrix rewarded him with a genuine smile. Rodolphus thought he saw hope in this gesture and then set about establishing a reign of terror for all the Mudbloods and other riffraff at school.
Their relationship had improved significantly. Bellatrix still regarded him with disdain, but she found him entertaining. Sometimes she would allow him to sit beside her or join her in the library.
By the end of her fifth year, she no longer hated her fiancé and had carved out a new place for herself in his circle of admirers. She was delighted to escape the Ghost by accepting a role within Rodolphus's clique, but she continued to insist she would never be his friend.
"You always have such good taste in dresses, Bellatrix," he murmured, ogling her breasts.
The other guests paid them no mind, each engrossed in their own conversation. Bellatrix said nothing. She picked up her glass of wine and downed it in one go, tilting her head back and exposing her neck a little more. Rodolphus breathed in her scent; his lips were mere inches from her delicate skin. For a moment, it seemed he wanted to kiss her there. She heard him gulp loudly, then he straightened up. He draped an arm around her shoulders.
"You're even more desirable than you were this summer, my dear Bellatrix. I can't wait for us to be married."
The wedding preparations were slowly underway. The date had been set for August 20th. Bellatrix's parents had preferred her to finish her studies to avoid any risk of distraction during her exams. The young girl had no more desire to marry than she did at the age of fourteen, but she had somewhat resigned herself to it.
"Come on, join me upstairs, I need to talk to you," Rodolphus pleaded in a hoarse voice.
Bellatrix looked at him for a moment, then nodded weakly. He left the room discreetly as she ordered the house-elf to refill her wine glass. She drank it slowly, pondering, before giving in. She got up and went to join Rodolphus.
XxXxXxX
Leaning against the wall of the landing, Rodolphus watched her climb the stairs with a mocking grin. As she passed by him, Bellatrix pinched the skin of his forearm to punish him for that insolent smile and the distasteful lecherous impression it left.
"Follow me," she snarled.
She led him to one of the bedrooms in the manor. Bellatrix swung the door open abruptly and swept the room with a frosty gaze. On the double bed of the room, a young boy was seated, engrossed in a lively conversation. Bellatrix didn't immediately see his interlocutor, but soon the house-elf bounded over to the newcomers and bent over exaggeratedly.
"Mistress Bellatrix and her friend Mr. Lestrange, do they desire something? Kreacher is at your service!"
Bellatrix regarded the elf with disdain without bothering to respond before turning to her cousin, who seemed outraged by such an intrusion into his room.
"What are you doing, Regulus? Keeping company with your elf?" Bellatrix asked, not hiding her surprise and disgust.
The young boy blushed deeply and shot his cousin a very resentful look.
"What are you doing here?" he retorted instead.
Rodolphus let out a mocking laugh, then turned to Bellatrix, also seeming to wonder the same thing.
"Rodolphus and I need to talk, and since the guest room already houses the belongings of Rodolphus's parents, I would like you to skedaddle," she explained in a cold voice.
"What? No, this is my room! You can bother Sirius instead!" Regulus grumbled bitterly.
"Get out of here!" Bellatrix exclaimed.
The young boy and the elf left the room without further ado. Rodolphus still watched her with that mocking smile. Bellatrix paid no attention and settled on her cousin's bed.
"You can be a real tyrant, you know," Rodolphus remarked before slowly approaching the bed.
"Thanks, but stop flattering me and speak since that's what you wanted."
"Alright," Rodolphus started again, losing both his smile and his confidence at the same time.
Bellatrix raised an inquisitive eyebrow. The silence lingered for a few seconds before Rodolphus took a deep breath.
"You know, Bellatrix, these past years haven't been particularly easy for me either. I never imagined getting married so soon... The decision I made when I was fourteen, I don't regret it. I chose you, Bellatrix, because you're different from the others. My mother didn't immediately understand my choice. It's true, it seems slightly strange to be infatuated with a witch like you. You're so disobedient, so cunning and unyielding. You even hesitate to become a mother!"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes.
"The fact is," Rodolphus continued, "I never wanted a typical woman. Oh, of course, I expect you to give me a son one day. But I don't want to change you! On the contrary, I chose you because I know I'll never be bored with you."
"Can you get to the point, Rodolphus? You know that sappy speeches won't make me more malleable."
"Alright then, I'll be frank. This marriage seems horrible to you, but open your eyes, it's the best thing that could happen to you! You'll be able to escape your family and all their protocols that disgust you. Living with me means emancipating yourself in a world that doesn't accept a woman doing as she pleases. You can do whatever you want with me, and in return, I ask you only one thing, my dear Bellatrix..."
"You mean, besides having to endure your ugly mug every sad day of my life?" Bellatrix asked before flashing a cruel smile.
Rodolphus sighed and moved closer to the bed. He placed a hand on Bellatrix's neck and forced her to meet his gaze. The young girl tried to escape, but Rodolphus placed his second hand behind her neck and held her in place, their foreheads now practically pressed together.
"Bellatrix... You're seventeen, and I think I've waited long enough."
"I thought we were supposed to wait until marriage," Bellatrix retorted in a falsely light tone.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, you hate all those outdated rules! That's all I'm asking in the end, and I can assure you that this tiny favour I ask of you will give you a pleasure like you've never experienced."
Bellatrix raised a sceptical eyebrow.
"Aren't you even curious?" Rodolphus whispered, right against her lips.
He looked into her eyes for a long moment and then gently placed his lips against hers. Bellatrix kept her eyes wide open and did not immediately respond to the kiss, even though her heart was beginning to beat faster. It wasn't their first kiss. At Hogwarts, she had sometimes accepted Rodolphus's kisses, more out of weariness than anything else. Sometimes she liked to let herself go despite the furious appeals of her pride. Only this time, she responded to the kiss languidly. It was the first time she had experienced the caress of another tongue against hers and on her lips. She felt Rodolphus's heart beat faster too.
His hands came to rest on her shoulders and guided her to lie fully on the bed. Bellatrix was surprised to realise that she was enjoying Rodolphus's kiss for the first time. He seemed to want her so much! As his hands slid over her body, against the fabric of her dress, her breathing quickened, becoming almost erratic. The warmth of his hands penetrated her dress, and she almost let out an exclamation of surprise when his hands reached her cleavage. Against her bare skin, the heat was all the more intense. She began to imagine the contact of those hands against her completely naked body.
Rodolphus's lips left Bellatrix's and travelled to her neck, and Bellatrix had to bite her lips to keep from moaning. Rodolphus slid his hands along her hips and then pulled Bellatrix's dress up over her thighs with a sudden movement. The girl waited with anticipation for what was to come. One of his warm hands came to rest on the skin of her thighs, and Bellatrix's back arched as if her body were begging for more attention. She felt Rodolphus's smile against her skin but she had no time to be irritated because the adventurous hand was now resting against her panties. Two of his fingers were slowly rubbing the length of her private area. The gesture was barely applied, as if it were only intended to make her languish a little longer.
Rodolphus raised his head slightly and his feverish gaze met that of his fiancée. He thought she looked beautiful, a little breathless and slightly haggard, sprawled out on the bed. Rodolphus had dreamt of this moment for years. A shiver of delight ran down his spine as he gazed at Bellatrix. At last, he was in control, and the girl's sensuous mouth was now just letting out muffled moans instead of her usual sharp remarks. It was a change Rodolphus could have enjoyed indefinitely.
He pushed the fabric of the panties aside slightly and his fingers were able to caress Bellatrix's already wet sex directly. The girl's breathing stopped for a moment, as if shocked by this new contact. Her gaze left Rodolphus' and she closed her eyes. Biting her lips to keep from moaning more, Bellatrix couldn't help but shiver. She had never thought it would be so... delicious.
But Rodolphus had not finished. His thumb was now approaching Bellatrix's clitoris, a part the young girl had never explored before. The result of this new sensation produced loud moans from Bellatrix. Rodolphus' clearly satisfied smile widened even more. Then he slid a finger inside her while continuing to caress her clitoris. She moaned more, unable to stop herself, and her body arched violently. Rodolphus couldn't help but press his own body against hers, revealing his growing erection.
He wanted to kiss her again, but intense pain made him stop. He withdrew his hand from Bellatrix's thighs and hastily covered the dark mark with his other hand. Bellatrix sat up, frustration evident in her gaze as she stared at the young man.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her curiosity piqued now that her attention was on the Dark Mark.
"He's summoning me," he hissed through clenched teeth.
Bellatrix didn't need to inquire whom he meant. Rodolphus had already confided in her that his master's summons were agonizing, but this time she witnessed it first-hand. She observed her fiancé's grimace of pain and couldn't help but scoff inwardly. "Such weakness," she thought derisively.
"I have to go!" exclaimed Rodolphus.
Bellatrix grabbed his arm before he could stand up.
"Take me with you," she demanded authoritatively.
"What? Have you gone mad?"
"Take me with you, and I'll let you do whatever you want with me," she replied hastily.
"Just two seconds ago, I wouldn't have needed to hear that awful blackmail to do exactly what I wanted with you! Now let go of my arm!"
"Rodolphus, please!"
The young man violently broke free from Bellatrix's grip.
"He doesn't like us being late!" he justified with a cold voice. "Merry Christmas."
With these words, Rodolphus disapparated, leaving Bellatrix seething with anger on the bed. Less than a second later, Walburga Black entered the room. Bellatrix hurried to pull her dress over her thighs, but she doubted her aunt hadn't already understood what had happened in the room.
"What are you doing?" she questioned skeptically.
"Nothing," Bellatrix lied, "Rodolphus had to leave, he..."
"I know," Walburga interrupted harshly, "his father just disapparated as well. Madame Lestrange is going to bed now, and your parents are leaving. You should join them."
Bellatrix then followed her aunt downstairs where her parents and sisters were waiting, cloaks in hand. Andromeda gave her a curious look as if she was wondering what she had been doing upstairs.
The family wished Uncle Orion and Aunt Walburga a good night and one final "Merry Christmas," then headed to the fireplace in the living room to return to their manor.
XxXxXxX
The next afternoon, during tea time, Rodolphus emerged from the flames of Bellatrix's parents' manor fireplace. She was engrossed in a game of wizard's chess with Narcissa in her room when her mother informed her of his arrival. Bellatrix hurriedly descended the two flights of stairs separating her from the ground floor but paused briefly before entering the living room to compose herself.
"I can't let him think I've been worried," she thought disdainfully. Rodolphus was already seated on one of the leather sofas, pretending to be interested in the ceiling mouldings. Bellatrix couldn't miss the smirk he was trying to hide.
"What's up?" she asked, a hint of mockery in her voice.
"Ah, Bellatrix! There you are!" he exclaimed.
"Cut the act. What did he want?" she asked bluntly.
Rodolphus sighed.
"Come on, Bellatrix, you know I can't spill the beans," he replied, barely concealing his smug smile.
"Don't make me ask twice," Bellatrix muttered before taking a seat opposite him.
"Can your parents hear us?" he inquired.
Bellatrix shook her head.
"Your sisters?"
"No! Just tell me!"
"Alright, alright," Rodolphus relented, a huge grin on his face. "The Master has finally given me a solo mission!"
Bellatrix suddenly felt like she was dealing with an overexcited child. However, she couldn't really blame him, as she strongly suspected that such news would have filled her with joy. Jealousy began to seep in. Why had Lord Voldemort chosen this idiot Rodolphus? Why couldn't she also be a member of his army?
"Congratulations," she muttered, her teeth clenched.
"Hide your joy," he retorted, apparently unconvinced by her disappointed reaction.
"I'm just surprised that Lord Voldemort trusts you so much after only a few months of service," she said neutrally.
"Why is that surprising?" Rodolphus protested, furrowing his brows. "I am an absolutely devoted servant! My father was one of his first friends at Hogwarts, and in the Lestrange family, we keep our word. I was raised to serve and defend my family... If today, I am rewarded for my services, it's because I deserve it, Bellatrix!"
She rolled her eyes, trying not to show that Rodolphus's words had stung her. He had never been so defensive with her before... Obviously, the subject of loyalty and Lord Voldemort should not be taken lightly. Nevertheless, Bellatrix was determined to discuss the matter further – even if she wasn't yet a part of his inner circle.
"Forgive me, Rodolphus, I didn't mean to question your loyalty," she said, hoping her tone sounded sincere.
Rodolphus didn't seem convinced, raising one eyebrow sceptically. But he seemed to take some comfort in it, as his hard expression softened.
"It's kind of like my Christmas present, and it's a pretty easy mission, nothing too complicated," he said, trying to downplay it.
But the pride and arrogance in his tone did not escape Bellatrix's notice. She was determined to learn more, but her burning curiosity clashed with the urge to put this arrogant upstart in his place.
"What's your task?" she asked calmly.
Rodolphus burst into laughter. He looked at Bellatrix affectionately and then nodded condescendingly.
"No chance, I can't tell you anything!"
"Suit yourself, but don't come crying if you fail and end up alone," she warned.
"I won't fail," he insisted.
"Do you trust the other Death Eaters?" Bellatrix asked.
"Some, the older ones. I don't trust everyone."
"Wouldn't you be relieved to have an ally within Lord Voldemort's ranks?"
Rodolphus moistened his lips before smiling amusedly. His gaze lingered on Bellatrix for a moment, then he shrugged.
"No," he replied firmly.
"Please, take me to see him," Bellatrix pleaded again.
"No way! How would it look if I offered him a girl for his services?"
"I won't let him down! You know I'm a very skilled witch, worth two wizards like you," Bellatrix argued before standing up and approaching Rodolphus.
"Insulting me is the best way to convince me, right," he mocked with a smirk.
"Rodolphus, please..."
"Keep begging baby, it's turning me on," he teased, smirking.
Bellatrix slapped him immediately.
"Don't ever call me 'baby' again."
"What are you gonna do?" he taunted, getting up as well.
Bellatrix raised her wand and pointed it directly at her fiancé's heart. He seemed far too comfortable for someone in a vulnerable position. Bellatrix felt her fingers tremble on the wand as fury consumed her. With a furious breath, she uttered the word "crucio."
Rodolphus lost his balance and writhed for a few seconds, but no cry escaped his lips. Ten seconds later, he was standing again, a smug smile on his lips.
"Let me show you baby," he smirked before casting the same curse back at her.
Bellatrix collapsed to the floor in screams and tears.
XxXxXxX
After that unpleasant event, Bellatrix had to stay in bed for two days. Her mother, Druella, dashed into the living room upon hearing her screams, but Rodolphus only lowered his wand when Druella drew hers. Bellatrix endured the curse for about ten minutes. It felt like an hour of excruciating pain. She had never suffered so much in her life.
For two weeks, Rodolphus had put her through torment, and now she felt an indescribable hatred towards him. Every day after the incident, he would come knocking at the house, looking sad and remorseful. Bellatrix's parents had respected her wish not to allow him into the house, but she knew it wouldn't last.
Druella had been somewhat shocked by Rodolphus's violence, but Bellatrix knew her mother considered her punishment deserved. Since their engagement, everyone in her family knew of Bellatrix's disgust for her fiancé and his behaviour, deemed utterly inappropriate by high society. Therefore, despite her initial shock, Druella had likely convinced herself that if Bellatrix had listened to her from the beginning, she wouldn't have had to endure her fiancé's wrath. However, Bellatrix suspected that this reasoning had originated from her own father, who clearly did not sympathise with his daughter's plight.
Out of pride and honour, her parents had initially sided with her. They accompanied her to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters the day after New Year's Day and were not as cold as usual. However, Bellatrix was not fooled and suspected that Narcissa's presence, now a student at Hogwarts, had something to do with their lack of hostility.
They supported her for a while, but two days ago, they sent her a letter detailing the preparations for her wedding. It was probably their way of letting her know that she shouldn't expect this incident to change anything about her situation. Bellatrix hadn't hoped for a cancellation from her parents, but she had imagined they might postpone the wedding. She hadn't seen Rodolphus before returning to Hogwarts, and she certainly wouldn't have the chance to see him again until next summer. Of course, she could have arranged to meet him on a weekend trip to Hogsmeade, but she had no desire to do so. As a result, her marriage would almost coincide with the moment she would see him again after his act of unprecedented violence.
Bellatrix didn't want to forgive him. She couldn't tolerate the freedom he had taken to torture her like that, nor the fact that he had never been so cruel to her before. She, who had always been the most violent, felt that he had put her in her place, using one of the precious pieces of knowledge that the Dark Lord had entrusted to him. Placed on the wrong end of the wand, Bellatrix had realised how much Rodolphus had benefited from Lord Voldemort's powers. She had never felt such pain, such acute suffering that she felt her brain disconnect and lose its grip.
He had made her lose control. And by Merlin, Bellatrix was humiliated! Jealous too of the power he had over her. Would she ever have the opportunity to repay him in kind? It wasn't at Hogwarts that Bellatrix would learn to inflict so much harm. Hurt in her pride and disappointed, she refused to respond to his numerous letters.
She saw no way out of this ridiculous marriage looming over her like the sword of Damocles. Her parents would soon forgive Rodolphus. Soon, they would expect her to forgive him too. And that was out of the question...
The hardest part for Bellatrix was being trapped at Hogwarts, where she couldn't do anything to hope to change her bleak fate. Yet she had a hope – a crazy hope, certainly.
Late at night, in her bed, when she saw the face of the Dark Lord, the only and unique time she had seen him, her heart beat faster and helped her hold on. She felt ridiculous to succumb like this. She had seen him so long ago, but the memory didn't fade. Sometimes, she felt like one of those fools at Hogwarts who profess their love to the first idiot who comes along. The only difference for her was that she had fallen for one of the most dangerous dark wizards in the world.
Sometimes, she even dreamed that he might be the key to her problem. What if he could save her? Confused, ashamed, Bellatrix shook her head in her bed when this idea teased her. How could he save her? He certainly didn't care about what might happen to her, especially since he had consented to her union with Rodolphus. And yet... She dreamt... What if she managed to get closer to him? What if she became a Death Eater like those other idiots who didn't deserve it?
She had to prove her worth to him, show him that she was not just a common woman. She was much more than that. If she succeeded in rising to the ranks of his most valiant Death Eaters, perhaps he would call off her marriage. Bellatrix knew she had too little time. A plan was brewing in her head, but she could never execute it before the date of her wedding.
Yet hope still burned within her. She had decided to work hard this year, extracting from Hogwarts all the knowledge the school could offer her. She would find a way to get close to Lord Voldemort. She would show him the extent of her talents, perhaps even beg him, and once by his side, he would understand her distress and spare her from this marriage. Her plan was extremely shaky, but Lord Voldemort had become her only hope.
She was determined. This summer, she would be in the service of the Dark Lord.