The Dark Lord's Pet Princess

52. Mass Breakout

Voldemort's surprise was revealed shortly after Draco returned to Hogwarts in the new year.
The dark lord helped 10 high security prisoners, who were all loyal death eaters, break out of Azkaban. A feat that had never been executed before.
The only one to break out of Azkaban had been Sirius, but he had been a lone man.
Voldemort was really showing off his power by breaking 10 people out of the most secure prison on earth.

Larissa got to be reunited with the escapees the moment they escaped, as Voldemort brought them all to Malfoy Manor.
She was more than surprised when she entered the great hall one evening, and saw 9 wizards and 1 witch, standing in front of her, still wearing their prison clothes.
Larissa recognised all of them, as they were some of Voldemort's top supporters.
Algernon Rookwood and Antonin Dolohov were there, as were the 3 Lestranges; Rodolphus, Rabastan, and of course Bellatrix.

Larissa found it strange to see Bellatrix after so many years, as they hadn't exactly parted on good terms.
Bellatrix had revealed Larissa's death eater status to the wizarding world, making her an outcast forever. Which was something Larissa had not forgiven.
However, Bellatrix was Voldemort's most devoted follower, so Larissa knew that she had to put her dislike of Bellatrix to one side, for the greater good.

"It's so good to see you, dear sister" said Bellatrix as she embraced Narcissa.
"I've missed you Bella" replied Narcissa.
Larissa thought that Bellatrix's time in Azkaban had made her even more deranged than she had been before. As her cousin looked rather unhinged and even slightly mad. Which is why she was glad Bellatrix did not have a wand in her hand.
"It is good to see you as well, cousin" admitted Bellatrix, as she moved from Narcissa towards Larissa.
The pair did not embrace, but Larissa nodded her head respectfully towards her cousin.
"I am pleased that you have rejoined the cause, after your time away" said Larissa, with a hint of mocking in her voice, that she knew Bellatrix picked up on.

"I am the dark lord's most loyal follower, and I am glad to be back at his right hand side, where I belong. I would rather die than renounce the dark lord, like some people decided to do" informed Bellatrix, as she looked over at Lucius.
Even though it was his family home, Lucius shuffled uncomfortablely as the loyal death eaters glared down at him.
Lucius had betrayed Voldemort to avoid Azkaban, and the death eaters who hadn't, were not happy with him.
"If you're dead then you're of no use to him. But some of us haven't had the luxury of relinquishing our duties. Some of us have been continuing to serve Lord Voldemort for all these years. I alone stood by his side and followed where he led" announced Larissa.

"I sacrificed my freedom and my sanity for the dark lord" snapped Bellatrix.
"So? Neither of those things helped him when he was close to death. I am the only reason he is alive today" informed Larissa, bending the truth slightly.
Despite their years apart, the pair were still battling to be Voldemort's favourite.
Larissa knew that he had chosen her, as he had called her his queen. And it brought her pleasure to rub it in Bellatrix's face.

Even though she did not love Voldemort like she used to, she did not want Bellatrix to replace her. And she wanted her cousin to know that she was not going to let her anywhere near Voldemort.
When around the Malfoy's, Larissa referred to him as the dark lord, but since she wanted to remind Bellatrix of her closeness with their master, she called him Voldemort.

"I tried to find the dark lord, which is why I tortured those aurors. I wanted information that they possessed. I was willing to do anything to be reunited with the dark lord" admitted Bellatrix.
"You failed. Alice and Frank Longbottom decided to give up their minds, rather than help you. In the end Peter Pettigrew was the one who tracked me and Voldemort down, and he's the one who helped Voldemort regain his body. You may be a powerful witch, but you failed to find Voldemort. And he doesn't like people who fail him. You will have to try very hard to prove to him how loyal you are, if you want to be his right hand man again" replied Larissa.

The sound of chuckling drew everyone's attention to one of the doors on the far side of the room.
Voldemort had entered without anyone's knowledge, and had been listening to the conversation.
The 10 death eaters who had just been rescued, dropped to their knees as Voldemort approached.
Bellatrix went a step further and threw her whole body on the ground to show her devotion.
Lucius and Narcissa were more subtle and they bowed their heads as Voldemort passed them.
Larissa didn't bow or drop to her knees, as she knew Voldemort wouldn't want her to.

Voldemort stroked Larissa's cheek tenderly before turning to his death eaters.
"Arise" he commanded.
"My lord, it is an honour to be in your company once again" informed Bellatrix, as she stood to her feet.
"I'm sure it is Bella, but I do not need you to grovel and praise me. Nor do I want you to fight over me with Larissa. I am not a prize to be won" replied Voldemort sternly.
"Of course not, my lord. Please forgive our childish squabbles. It won't happen again"
"It had better not".

Voldemort turned to face Lucius, "You will feed and clothe your fellow death eaters. And you will house them until I can find a permanent place for them to live".
"Yes, my lord" Lucius said quietly.
"Good. I will leave you to it then" replied Voldemort, before raising his arm to Larissa and escorting her from the room.
Larissa smiled smugly at Bellatrix, before turning her attention to Voldemort.
"So, did you like my surprise?" He asked once they were alone.
"Seeing Bella again was certainly unexpected. And I can't say I'm thrilled to see her. But we need her skill in battle, so it's good to have her and the others free at last" answered Larissa.

"It is. And I must say that I found it interesting to hear you fighting with her over me" admitted Voldemort.
"It didn't make you angry?" Questioned Larissa.
"On the contrary, I found it rather amusing. And it was nice to hear you get so defensive about our relationship" revealed Voldemort.
"I didn't want her thinking that she could take my place as your queen. Me and you share a bond that she will never understand. I guard a piece of your soul with my life"
"That you do, and I would intrust it with no one else. However, I do not want you to continue fighting with your cousin, as we do need her alive"
"Don't worry, it won't happen again".